Senate Confirms Kristen Clarke to Lead DOJ Civil Rights Division

WASHINGTON – On the first anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Kristen Clarke, President Joe Biden’s nominee to be Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, by a bipartisan vote of 51-48.  Ms. Clarke will be the first Senate-confirmed woman and woman of color to lead the Civil Rights Division.  Ahead of her confirmation vote, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, argued that Ms. Clarke is the ideal candidate to restore credibility at the Civil Rights Division. 

“With her breadth of experience defending the civil rights of all Americans, Kristen Clarke is singularly qualified to lead this Division, particularly at this moment in history,” Durbin said.  “Kristen Clarke is the legal expert we need to restore and reinvigorate the Civil Rights Division.”

Durbin concluded, “At this moment in history, filling this Division, the Civil Rights Division, on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder on the streets of Minnesota, we are confirming the first woman of color in the history of the United States to head this Division.  It is an historic choice.  It shouldn’t be trivialized by those who want to paint a caricature of a woman not even close to the truth.  It shouldn’t be trivialized by ignoring the many endorsements she received because of her good life’s work, having spent her entire career defending the civil rights of all Americans.   She is the right person for the job.  President Biden believes it.  The Attorney General believes it.  I believe it as well.”

Video of Durbin’s floor remarks is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s floor remarks is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s floor remarks is available here for TV Stations.

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