The Senate. on Tuesday, Voted to Confirm, Kristen Clarke, as the New Head of the Justice Department's (DOJ) Civil Rights Division, in a tight 51-48 Vote, with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) the only Republican to Cross Party Lines and Vote for her.

Clarke will be the first Black Woman to Lead the Influential wing of the Justice Department, and will Serve as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The Civil Rights Division's Tasks include Investigating Local Law Enforcement Agencies and taking on State Voting Restrictions around the Country.

The Confirmation was held on the One-year Anniversary of George Floyd's Murder by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who was Convicted in April.

Republicans opposed Clarke's Nomination, painting her as Anti-Police and a Radical, while Democrats Dismissed such Arguments as a Smear Tactic.

The Nomination in the Judiciary Committee was Deadlocked at 11-11, but that didn't Prevent Clarke's Nomination from going to the Floor for the Confirmation Vote.

Clarke during her Confirmation Hearing, in April, said she did Not Support "Defunding the Police." “I do support finding strategies to ensure that law enforcement can carry out their jobs more safely and effectively, and channeling resources to emotional health treatment and other severely under-resourced areas, I think, is one path forward.” she said at the time.

Until being Nominated for the Senior DOJ Position, Clarke was the President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

In that Role, she has been a staunch Advocate for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would Revise the New Formula that drove the Federal Pre-Clearance Present in the Original Voting Rights Act.

The Supreme Court in 2013 ruled the Old Formula Outdated and therefore Unconstitutional, though Chief Justice John Roberts, gave Congress the Green Light to Update the Formula.

The Battle over Clarke's Nomination echoed the Fight over Vanita Gupta's Confirmation Battle for the No. 3 Slot at Justice.

Gupta was Confirmed in a 51-49 Vote with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) the Only GOP Cross-Over Vote.

Gupta and Clarke both had the Backing of Law Enforcement Groups, even as Conservative Lawmakers sought to Paint them as Anti-Police.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker