Despite the drama surrounding the confirmation of federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch as the next Attorney General, the woman currently holding the number two position at the United States Justice Department is having a much less partisan experience.
Sally Quillian Yates, the former US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and the Acting US Deputy Attorney General, was officially tapped by President Obama to be the next Deputy Attorney General several months ago. The University of Georgia alum, and Democratic donor, began her confirmation process in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Congressman John Lewis (D) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) introduced Yates with assistance from Senator David Perdue (R), a member of the committee. Isakson referred to Yates as a “double dawg”, a reference to her two degrees from the University of Georgia, and Senator Perdue told the committee that it was a privilege “as a Yellow Jacket to welcome this bulldog.”
During the hearing on Tuesday, Yates did not give clear-cut answers to questions about the President’s actions on immigration. She instead referred to court decisions that she promised to stand by.
Yates’ nomination, with the support of both Isakson and Perdue, is expected to cross party lines both in committee and on the Senate floor. No dates have been set for votes on Yates’ nomination or Lynch’s.
Watch Tuesday’s hearing HERE
