Prominent Indian-American civil rights lawyer Vanita Gupta has been confirmed by the US Senate as associate attorney general, making her the first person of colour to occupy the third highest position at the Department of Justice. Gupta, President Joe Biden’s nominee, was confirmed in a narrow 51-49 vote with Lisa Murkowski, a Republican senator from Alaska, joining the Democrats in her support.
Gupta, 46, has now made history to become the first Indian American and first woman of colour to hold the third highest-ranking position in the US department of justice. The Indian American Impact Fund, an organisation that supports and endorses people of Indian origin in the US to run for political and public offices, has congratulated Gupta on her historic confirmation. “Congratulations to Vanita Gupta on making history as the first woman of colour to serve as associate attorney general. Now, I urge the Senate to confirm Kristen Clarke. Both are eminently qualified, highly respected lawyers who are dedicated to advancing racial equity and justice,” President Joe Biden said.
Gupta is also the first civil rights lawyer to serve at one of the top three positions at the Department of Justice. The daughter of Indian immigrants who was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Gupta has had an illustrious career of fighting for civil rights.
