Holder is Confirmed Attorney General

With a senate vote of 75 to 21, Eric H. Holder Jr. was confirmed as the new attorney general of the United States. He will also become the first African American to hold this position which will definitely be a plus for minority groups. In addition, this choice is a huge relief for those who were critical of the justice department under the bush administration, during which Alberto Gonzales was attorney general. Many hope that confidence in the justice department will be restored with this new appointment since many critics argue that the justice department has become weaker in its law enforcement. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, said that the “…strong, bipartisan vote in favor was a statement that members from both sides of the aisle recognize that Mr. Holder has the character, integrity and independence to be Attorney General.” We will have to wait and see if Holder will change our view of our previous justice department.