Among the issues Murkowski discussed with Gupta were domestic violence and sexual assault, especially against indigenous women – a top priority for the Alaska Republican.
‘I felt like I’m talking to a woman who’s not just committed to her professional life to try to get to the root of this injustice, to not just try to govern some money, put a program in place and to walk away and call it a day, ‘Murkowski said,’ but to really try to make a difference. ‘
Gupta had unanimous support from the Senate Democrats, who praised her credentials and quickly took note of her endorsements by several law enforcement groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police, which twice endorsed former President Donald Trump. Gupta also has the support of Grover Norquist and Bill Kristol.
While Gupta’s nomination was never in jeopardy, Murkowski’s voice was a surprise to confirm. Earlier in the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that Gupta could be the first Biden nominee to be confirmed by party lines. Eventually, she was confirmed 51-49.
Gupta’s twofold confirmation comes after Senate Republicans, including Murkowski, unanimously voted last week to dismiss Gupta from the Judiciary Committee, which is 11-11 dead.
During her remarks on the floor, Murkowski said that the nominee spoke during the meeting with Gupta about the pressure associated with her confirmation.
“Is it worth it?” Murkowski asked her GOP colleagues. ‘Because it was very difficult for her as a nominee. And she paused and reflected for a moment and just talked about how she felt called to serve in a very personal way that I thought. ”
Gupta was previously president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. She was also head of the civil rights division under former President Barack Obama. She will be the first woman of color to serve as co-attorney general.