[Editor’s Note: After the Senate today confirmed Loretta Lynch as U.S. Attorney General on a 56-43 vote – all Democrats and 10 Republicans – U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Culver City/Los Angeles) issued an affirming statement.]

Loretta Lynch’s career has perfectly prepared her to be our nation’s 83rd Attorney General.

Appointed by both President Obama and President Clinton to serve as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, she has shown her tenacity as a tough prosecutor as well as her dedication to standing up for civil rights and ensuring equal justice for all Americans.

At her confirmation hearing she showed Congress and Americans across the country the depth of her intellect and her drive.

I look forward to working with Ms. Lynch to build on the important reforms to our nation’s criminal justice system undertaken by outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder.

Under President Obama, our nation has made important strides in reducing draconian sentences so that our criminal justice system is both just and fair.

We have much work to do, and I know that Ms. Lynch will bring a lifetime of experience and sheer intelligence to lead the Justice Dept.

I commend Mr. Holder for his successful leadership.

At his urging, the Sentencing Commission is reducing the average sentence for certain nonviolent drug offenders by 11 months.

The federal prison population will drop by 6,550 inmates at the end of five years. Mr. Holder initiated the clemency project to help people who have been reformed in corrections to return home and be productive citizens.

Today’s confirmation was about ensuring that the Justice Dept. continues to have committed leadership.

It was about having a leader committed to continuing to reform our nation’s criminal justice system.

Frankly, it was about time.