Senate Confirms Loretta Lynch As U.S. Attorney General

It took the Senate more than five months to confirm her.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Loretta Lynch to serve as the nation's next attorney general, more than five months after President Obama first nominated her to the post.

Her confirmation was held up due to a partisan battle over an abortion provision in a human trafficking bill. Senate Republicans and Democrats reached a deal Tuesday that allowed for a confirmation vote to move forward.

Lynch's supporters have, in recent weeks, publicly called for the Senate to end the delay. Rev. Al Sharpton launched a hunger strike last week in protest.

Lynch, who is currently the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, will be the first black woman to serve as the nation's top law enforcement officer, replacing outgoing attorney general Eric Holder.

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