The Senate has confirmed Loretta Lynch to be the next attorney general of the United States.
The vote was 56-43 and came after a months-long delay.
Lynch was nominated in November.
Her nomination was initially predicted to bring a fast and overwhelming approval in the Senate, but support began to fade among Republicans after Lynch wholeheartedly endorsed President Obama’s executive actions allowing millions of illegal immigrants to obtain work permits and some federal benefits.
Republicans, angry that they were unable to stop Obama’s immigration directives by yanking the funding, instead sought to register their discontent in opposing Lynch.
Her confirmation margin was slim by comparison to her predecessors.
Current Attorney General Eric Holder, who is widely opposed by the GOP, cleared confirmation by a 75-21 vote in 2009.
Lynch, now serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, will become the 83rd attorney general and the first African-American women to hold the position.
“Today is an historic day as Loretta Lynch will take her rightful place at the helm of the Department of Justice,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “I am confident she will be an exemplary attorney general, and will bring disparate parts of communities across the country together, just as she did in Brooklyn.”
Republicans touted their opposition, citing her support of Obama’s executive actions, which most in the GOP believe are unconstitutional.
“Ms. Lynch sees merit in a position that impinges on the constitutional prerogatives of the branch of government that I serve,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said.
