Merrick Garland confirmed as US Attorney General in strong bi-partisan vote

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Senate on Wednesday confirmed federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland as US Attorney General in a 70-30 bi-partisan vote, USA Today reports. Garland, who was denied a Supreme Court confirmation hearing by the GOP-led Senate in 2016, received 20 votes from Republicans approving his appointment as Attorney General.

Garland has said he is determined to keep the Justice Department separate from politics, and to make the investigation into the US Capitol attack his “first priority.”

“Merrick Garland is determined to write a new chapter of public service in his life – and the Senate has finally given him that opportunity,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. “He is the right person for this moment in history to lead the Department of Justice.”

While 30 Republicans opposed Garland’s confirmation, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell voted in favor, saying: “I’m voting to confirm Judge Garland because of his long reputation as a straight-shooter and legal expert. His left-of-center perspective has been within the legal mainstream.”

The measure of bi-partisan support for the confirmation of an attorney general is the strongest since Eric Holder received 75 votes during the Obama presidency, USA Today reports.

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