President Trump's nominee to become the next U.S. Attorney General, Bill Barr, has been confirmed by the Senate.
Senate confirms William Barr as Attorney General, 54-45
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 14, 2019
Three Democrats voted aye.
Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Doug Jones (D-AL) and Joe Manchin (D-WV).
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the lone GOP nay.
A major victory for justice and the rule of law in America: the Senate just confirmed President @realDonaldTrump’s outstanding nominee William Barr as Attorney General
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) February 14, 2019
Mr. Barr is a steady hand at a time of turmoil and he will bring much needed reform to the Department of Justice.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) February 14, 2019
I look forward to working with Mr. Barr on the many issues facing the men and women of the Department of Justice and our nation as a whole.
Republican Senator Rand Paul joined most Democrats and voted against his nomination.
“I am unable to support Bill Barr’s nomination to be the next Attorney General. While I support President Trump and have supported most of his nominees, I have too many concerns about the record and views of this nominee. Bill Barr was a leading proponent of warrantless surveillance, and his overall record on the Fourth Amendment is troubling to me," Paul released in a statement Thursday. "I remain concerned that Bill Barr does not agree with our bipartisan efforts to reform our criminal justice system. Finally, Bill Barr has a troubling record on the Second Amendment. For these reasons, I voted today against his nomination for Attorney General."
Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein took to the Senate floor to oppose Barr's nomination.
Mr. Barr may be a fine attorney, but he is not the right choice to lead the Department of Justice under this president, with several active investigations implicating the president, his campaign advisers and inner circle. pic.twitter.com/eC9wC2CfMi
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) February 14, 2019
This will be Barr's second time in the position. He served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush.
