White House Slams McConnell on Lynch Confirmation Delay

The White House is blasting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for holding up a confirmation vote for Loretta Lynch to be attorney general.

McConnell has warned he won't hold a vote before the Senate finishes a human trafficking bill. That legislation hit a roadblock over a provision regarding funding for abortions.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday it's an "unconscionable delay" that reflects failed Republican leadership. He says it's a sign that McConnell's leadership "is not off to a very strong start."

Earnest is also questioning whether Obama can trust McConnell's word. He's accusing McConnell of playing politics with the nomination.

But the White House won't say whether Obama would sign the bill with the abortion provision included. Earnest says Republicans don't currently have the votes to pass it.