Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Senate confirmed Merrick Garland as attorney general, in a 70-30 vote. Garland was previously the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals in D.C. and a former Obama Supreme Court nominee. The Sierra Club supported Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court in 2016 but the process was unjustly stalled by then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Garland has been described as having “an uncommon level of environmental law expertise,” having served as Chief Justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit which decided dozens of federal air, water, and energy policies during Garland’s tenure.
The Senate is also expected to soon vote on confirmations for Lisa Monaco to serve as Deputy Attorney General, Vanita Gupta as Associate Attorney General, and Kristen Clarke as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
In response, the Sierra Club’s Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds the Senate for confirming Merrick Garland as U.S. Attorney General. Garland has time and again demonstrated that he is a true public servant who is dedicated to the rule of law and equitable treatment for all people living in this country. Under the leadership of Attorney General Garland and his soon-to-be confirmed deputies, the Sierra Club is confident the Department of Justice will one again regain its independence from the White House, enforce all the key civil, criminal and environmental laws, and prioritize the safety, humanity, and dignity of all people living in this country.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.