Senate Committee Approves Loretta Lynch To Be The Next Attorney General

Loretta Lynch, President Obama’s nominee to be the next attorney general, meets with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-8 on Thursday to approve Loretta Lynch to be the next U.S. attorney general, sending her to the full Senate for final confirmation.

Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch (UT), Jeff Flake (AZ) and Lindsey Graham (SC) voted with Democrats to support President Barack Obama’s nominee.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) spokesman Adam Jentleson called for a swift floor vote on the nomination.