Al Sharpton and women civil rights leaders say they are launching a fast to pressure lawmakers to vote and confirm President Obama’s nominee for attorney general, Loretta Lynch.
“As long as the Senate refuses to take fifteen minutes to confirm someone for Attorney General that they have already confirmed twice for U.S. Attorney, NAN and our allies will do everything in our power to draw attention to this completely unfair and unnecessary delay to vote to confirm Loretta Lynch,” Sharpton, the head of the National Action Network president and an MSNBC host, said Wednesday.
Lynch’s confirmation vote has been put on hold until the Senate completes work on a human trafficking bill that Democrats have been filibustering due to disagreements over abortion language.
Republican leadership said again Tuesday that it will not take up the Lynch nomination until the human trafficking bill is complete. She is expected to be confirmed in a very tight vote.
According to NAN, the “Confirm Lynch Fast” will be a de facto relay, consisting of fasters foregoing food for a single day at a time after which, another group will replace them.
“Senate leaders must hear the call of the people who want to see a vote called for Loretta Lynch,” Janaye Ingram NAN’s national executive director, said.
Ingram continued, pointing out that Obama nominated Lynch for the position five months ago
“We stand with Loretta Lynch and are so in support of this cause that we are willing to sacrifice our daily meals to impress upon the U.S. Senate that it’s time to call a vote,” she said.
NAN noted that in addition to the fast, their supporters will also be visiting senators’ offices as well as writing letters and op-ed to push for a vote.
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