Washington DC – On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, Kristen Clarke became the first Black woman to head the Department of Justice's civil rights division.

The Senate voted 51-48 for Clarke's confirmation on Tuesday. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Republican senator to cross party lines in favor of Clarke.

Kamala Harris, the first female and first Black vice president, swore her in that same evening.

"Our nation is a healthier place when we respect the rights of all communities. In every role I've held, I have worked for and with people of all backgrounds – regardless of race, national origin, religion and disability status," Clarke wrote in advance of the hearing.

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"I've listened deeply to all sides of debates, regardless of political affiliation. There is no substitute to listening and learning in this work, and I pledge to you that I will bring that to the role if confirmed," the statement continued.

Clarke has served for the last five years as head of the nonprofit Lawyers' Committee, which centers on social justice issues.

Republicans said they opposed her appointment based on her stance on police reform.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz told CNN, "Kristen Clarke's brazen disdain for law enforcement – evidenced by her repeated calls to defund the police and her troubling history of advocacy on behalf of brutal cop killers – should be disqualifying to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division."

Clarke countered this narrative during the hearing: "I do not support defunding the police. I do support finding strategies to ensure that law enforcement can carry out their jobs more safely and effectively and channeling resources to emotional health treatment and other severely under-resourced areas."

Many of Clarke's supporters say she faced a more rigorous confirmation process because she is Black.

"I think it's race, there is no other way to describe it," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said.