Attorney General Merrick Garland testified at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Washington, DC, February 22, 2021.
Drew Angerer | Swimming Pool | Reuters
The Senate on Wednesday voted to confirm Merrick Garland as attorney general, placing the longtime federal appeals judge and one-time high court at the helm of an agency central to President Joe Biden’s domestic policy agenda.
The vote was 70-30.
Garland takes over as head of the Department of Justice while the outstretched agency continues its investigation into the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, one of the biggest sins in its history. Garland made the investigation his priority no. 1 called.
The Department of Justice will also be crucial in implementing Biden’s comprehensive plans for the enforcement of civil rights and the reform of criminal justice. The department is likely to make important decisions in the coming years on regulating the country’s largest technology companies, which some lawmakers are pushing to break up.
Garland vowed to defend the independence of the Justice Department during court hearings. Biden has a top priority in restoring the traditional distance between the department and political officials in the White House.
“I would not have accepted this job if I had thought that politics would have any bearing on prosecutions and investigations,” Garland told lawmakers during his trial. He said he and Biden had not discussed an ongoing investigation into the tax affairs of Hunter Biden, the president’s son.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., welcomed Garland’s nomination ahead of the vote Wednesday.
“America can breathe a sigh of relief that we will eventually lead someone like Merrick Garland who leads the Department of Justice. Someone with integrity, independence, respect for the rule of law and credibility on both sides of the aisle,” Schumer said. said the Senate floor. “He understands that the task of the Attorney General is one to protect the rule of law, unlike the previous Attorney General under President Trump.”
Before Biden Garland was appointed attorney general, the centrist advocate was fired in 2016 by former president. Barack Obama nominated for a seat in the Supreme Court after the death of Judge Antonin Scalia. Republicans controlled the Senate at the time and refused to hold a hearing on his nomination.
Several other leading candidates for justice are still being considered by the Senate, including Vanita Gupta, Kristen Clarke and Lisa Monaco. Gupta and Monaco faced questions from senators on Tuesday.
Gupta, who led under Obama’s civil rights department, is named co-attorney general. Clarke is named head of the civil rights division. Biden nominates Monaco as Deputy Attorney General.
Subscribe to CNBC Pro for the TV live stream, deep insights and analyzes on how you can invest during the next presidential term.