Bridenstine, More Than 40 House Republicans: Senate Has ‘Constitutional Obligation’ To Reject Loretta Lynch Nomination

AP Photo/Susan Walsh
AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) tells Breitbart News that the U.S. Senate has a “Constitutional obligation” to reject the nomination of U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch to replace Eric Holder as attorney general. Bridenstine says this is because Lynch proved during her testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee that she does not believe in enforcing the law independent of Obama’s political viewpoints.

“The top law enforcement officer in the land must be willing to enforce the law, independent of administration politics,” Bridenstine said in an emailed statement. “The testimony of Loretta Lynch demonstrated an unwillingness to depart from the politicization of justice we have seen from Eric Holder. The senate has a Constitutional obligation to not confirm her. This starts in the Senate Judiciary Committee.”

Bridenstine is leading a letter of House Republican leaders to Senate Judiciary Committee members urging them to reject her nomination in committee.

The list has more than doubled in size from about 20 Congressmen to now at least 45 signers since Breitbart News first exclusively reported on Bridsentine’s efforts. Signers include: Reps. Bridenstine, Brian Babin (R-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), Mo Brooks (R-AL), John Fleming (R-LA), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Andy Harris (R-MD), Austin Scott (R-GA), Ted Yoho (R-FL), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Ted Poe (R-TX), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Roger Williams (R-TX), Steve King (R-IA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Dave Brat (R-VA), John Ratcliffe (R-TX), Bill Flores (R-TX), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Jody Hice (R-GA), Pete Olson (R-TX), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Cynthia Lummis  (R-WY), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Luke Messer (R-IN), Dan Webster (R-FL), Sam Johnson (R-TX), Mike Rogers (R-MI), Blake Farenthold (R-TX), Trent Franks (R-AZ), John Carter (R-TX), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Mike Conaway (R-TX), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Rod Blum (R-IA), Scott Perry (R-PA), Tim Huelskamp (R-KS).

The Judiciary Committee, per an official announcement from Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), is to vote on Lynch’s confirmation next week. If the committee approves her, the full Senate would consider her nomination shortly thereafter.

Bridenstine’s letter specifically takes issue with Lynch’s support for President Obama’s now-suspended executive amnesty.

“When asked whether she agreed with the legal rationale concocted to justify the President’s actions, she said that she found it to be ‘reasonable,’ the obvious implication being, of course, that she would continue to follow it,” the House Republicans write in the letter. “And indeed, not once during the hearing did Ms. Lynch ever disavow—or even question—the legality of the President’s actions.”

Bridenstine’s team tells Breitbart News, too, that the congressman is keeping the letter open until early next week in case any other House Republicans want to join the effort and sign the letter. It will be sent to Senate Judiciary Committee members as they’re considering the nomination.

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