HRC Blog

Update: Holder Confirmation Hearings

January 15, 2009

Update from Cristina Finch, HRC's senior counsel:

The confirmation hearings for Eric Holder have come to a close for the day and will resume again on Friday. As the hearing began this morning, HRC President Joe Solmonese was in attendance to show the Human Rights Campaign’s support for Eric Holder as this nation’s next Attorney General. HRC has been focused on the confirmation of Eric Holder because it is imperative to the LGBT community, and to the country, that we have an Attorney General who is committed to making civil rights a priority and who will rigorously enforce all civil rights protections. It is clear that Eric Holder will be that Attorney General. The hearing opened with a statement from the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Senator Leahy spoke of Holder’s qualifications and promised that, “the next Attorney General will understand our moral and legal obligation to protect the fundamental rights of all Americans and to respect the human rights of all people.” Next was an opening statement from Senator Specter of Pennsylvania, the ranking Republican member of the Committee. Senator Specter cited his concern for violent crime and his desire for an Attorney General who would adequately address juvenile crime. After supportive testimony from both Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. and former Virginia Senator John Warner, it was Holder’s turn to address the Committee. Eric Holder gave a stirring statement promising to “reinvigorate the Department's traditional missions of protecting public safety and safeguarding our precious civil rights.” Holder outlined his vision for the Department stating that it “must also embrace its historic role in fighting crime [and] protecting civil rights.” Listening to Holder’s statement and his response to the Senator’s questions, it is clear why he is the right person to become this nation’s next Attorney General. Holder has demonstrated his commitment to equal protection under the law. With the confirmation of Eric Holder, the LGBT community can look forward to an Attorney General who will serve all the American people, regardless of who they are. [Photo: Evan Vucci/AP]