Senate narrowly confirms Vanita Gupta to serve as associate attorney general

The Senate on Wednesday by a razor-thin margin confirmed Vanita Gupta to serve as associate attorney general, the No. 3 position in the Justice Department behind the attorney general and the deputy attorney general.

The vote was 51-49 — Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted in favor of confirmation while all other GOP lawmakers voted against confirmation.

Gupta is the first woman of color who will serve in the post. She headed the Justice Department's Civil Rights division during the Obama administration,