Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, all have yet to take a public position on Clarke's nomination. "Ms. Clarke has the breadth and depth of civil rights experience needed to revitalize the Civil Rights Division at this critical time," committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. BIDEN DOJ NOMINEE KRISTEN CLARKE DEFENDS PAST CONTROVERSIAL WRITINGS ON RACEBut Clarke also has a history of making highly controversial statements, including a 2020 Newsweek op-ed headlined: "I Prosecuted Police Killings. Kristen Clarke is exactly what the Civil Rights Division does not need," Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a tweet around the time of Clarke's hearing. It's unclear when the Senate will take up the discharge petition on Clarke's nomination – it's possible Schumer would wait to do so until he knows whether he has the votes to confirm her.

Source: Fox News May 14, 2021 13:41 UTC