Federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch, President Obama’s pick to be the next attorney general, failed Wednesday to convince Sen. David Vitter that she wouldn’t be an accomplice to the president’s executive action that could granted deportation amnesty for up to 5 millions of illegal immigrants.
“I didn’t get any straight answers during our meeting today, and I’m not convinced Ms. Lynch will put any stop to it,” Mr. Vitter, Louisiana Republican and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will cast the first votes on her confirmation.
Ms. Lynch, who Mr. Obama tapped to replace outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, has faced tough questions about how she will address the president’s immigration moves as she angles for support in the new Republican-controlled Senate.
The immigration issue appears to be the biggest stumbling block for Ms. Lynch, a veteran prosecutor who serves as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
“President Obama’s illegal executive action to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants is still a major concern. It doesn’t just tell illegal aliens that they won’t be deported — it actually grants them work permits contrary to statutory law. This amounts to the President legislating,” said Mr. Vitter after he met with Ms. Lynch.
Ms. Lynch has had better luck with some other Republicans, including Judiciary Committee member Orrin Hatch of Utah, the most senior Senate Republican.
“She appears to be a very top-flight person,” Mr. Hatch told reporters at the Capitol.
Confirmation hearings for Ms. Lynch are expected to be scheduled for late January or early February, according to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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