WASHINGTON (AP) — The first Republican-led confirmation hearing of the Obama administration is about to get underway as the Senate Judiciary Committee considers President Barack Obama's nominee for attorney general.

If approved, Loretta Lynch would become the first black female attorney general. She is now the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Lynch would replace Eric Holder, who announced his resignation in September after leading the Justice Department for six years.

Holder was a lightning rod for conservative criticism and clashed with congressional Republicans. By contrast, Lynch has already earned praise from several of the GOP members of the Judiciary Committee and is widely expected to win confirmation.

But first she will face tough questions from committee members on immigration, police misconduct and other issues.

(Story by: Erica Werner and Eric Tucker, The Associated Press)

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