White House blames McConnell for U.S. attorney general's confirmation delays

The White House hammered Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday for holding up confirmation of Loretta Lynch's attorney general nomination, arguing that the "unconscionable delay" is a reflection of "inept leadership."

"No legitimate question has been raised about her aptitude for the job," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said during a press briefing. "This is a career prosecutor that deserves bipartisan support."

During the weekend, McConnell has said a vote to confirm Lynch would be put off until lawmakers pass an anti-human-trafficking bill which has stalled because of an anti-abortion provision Democrats oppose.

"This will have an impact on the timing of considering a new attorney general," McConnell said on CNN Sunday's State of the Union. "I had hoped to turn to her next week, but if we can't finish the trafficking bill, she will be put off again."

Earnest called the "unconscionable delay" by McConnell and the Republicans is "not a reflection of a flaw in the bill. It's a reflection of inept leadership."

It has been four months since President Barack Obama nominated Lynch, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, to succeed Attorney Gernral Eric Holder.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid echoed White House on the case and urged McConnell to give "his word" that Lynch's confirmation would take place through the normal legislative process and that the nomination would be considered this week.

"Republicans simply can't govern," Reid said. Endite