Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said Tuesday that he will oppose Loretta Lynch for attorney general, citing his concerns that she wouldn’t be “an independent attorney general and refrain from selective enforcement of the law.”
“The job of the U.S. attorney general is to enforce federal laws as written, not as the administration wishes they were written,” Corker said in a statement.
{mosads}“While I believe Ms. Lynch is an impressive attorney and a committed public servant, nothing revealed during our personal meeting or at her confirmation hearing has assured me that she will be an independent attorney general and refrain from selective enforcement of the law.”
Conservative Senate Republicans have voiced concerns about her nomination because of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.
With unanimous support from Democrats, Lynch would need four GOP votes to be confirmed.
Republican Sens. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Susan Collins (Maine), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Orrin Hatch (Utah) have suggested that they will back her.
The nomination of Lynch, who was tapped by President Obama to replace outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee last month.
But it’s unclear when the full Senate will vote on her nomination.
The Senate was expected to vote on it this week, but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Sunday that a vote would be delayed until Democrats allow a vote on legislation to prevent human trafficking.
Democrats have blocked the bill because of a measure that prohibits federal funding for abortions.