Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten GillibrandOvernight Defense: Defense bill among Congress's year-end scramble | Iranian scientist's assassination adds hurdles to Biden's plan on nuclear deal | Navy scrapping USS Bonhomme Richard after fire Democratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry Social media responds to Harris making history: 'I feel like our ancestors are rejoicing' MORE (N.Y.) is questioning Sen. Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsFocus on cabinet nominees' effectiveness and expertise, not just ideology Time to bring federal employees home for every holiday Alabama zeroes in on Richard Shelby's future MORE's understanding of sexual assault, joining a growing chorus of Democrats concerned about the Alabama Republican becoming attorney general.
"If he doesn't understand the basic tenets of what sexual assault is, I don't think he has the background and knowledge he will need to be attorney general," she told a local New York radio station on Monday.
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Gillibrand, who has offered legislation aimed at combating sexual assault, added she has "very grave concerns" about Sessions becoming the country's top law enforcement official.
Sessions came under fire last month for his views on sexual assault. Asked about a 2005 tape of President-Elect Donald Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump floats a Doug Collins run against Kemp for Georgia governor Defiant Trump insists election was 'rigged' at rally for Georgia Senate Republicans Trump offers condolences to family, friends of Loeffler campaign staffer who died MORE talking about groping and kissing women without their consent, Sessions told The Weekly Standard, "I don't characterize that as sexual assault."
Donald John TrumpTrump floats a Doug Collins run against Kemp for Georgia governor Defiant Trump insists election was 'rigged' at rally for Georgia Senate Republicans Trump offers condolences to family, friends of Loeffler campaign staffer who died MORE talking about groping and kissing women without their consent, Sessions told The Weekly Standard, "I don't characterize that as sexual assault." The GOP senator called the Weekly Standard report "completely inaccurate" and said it "misrepresented my views."
Gillibrand told the radio station that Sessions's original remarks are "so offensive and so dangerous and if he doesn't understand the basics of what sexual assault is, I don't know how he can be attorney general."
Gillibrand isn't on the Judiciary Committee, which will begin consideration of Sessions's nomination in the Senate, but said she would pay attention to his hearings and "give him the opportunity to speak about" how he would lead the Department of Justice.
Senate Democrats have largely pledged to fight Sessions's nomination, arguing the pick plays into larger concerns they have about the Trump administration. Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenCan Biden find a third way between Trumpism and Obama-era globalism? Left seeks to influence Biden picks while signaling unity Schwarzenegger says he would 'absolutely' help Biden administration MORE (D-Mass.) has called on Trump to reverse the pick.
Elizabeth WarrenCan Biden find a third way between Trumpism and Obama-era globalism? Left seeks to influence Biden picks while signaling unity Schwarzenegger says he would 'absolutely' help Biden administration MORE (D-Mass.) has called on Trump to reverse the pick. But they'll face an uphill fight to block Sessions from becoming attorney general. The GOP senator will need a simple majority instead of the higher 60-vote threshold because of Democrats' decision to gut the filibuster in 2013 on most nominations.
Republicans are expected to have a 52 vote threshold in 2017 with moderate GOP senators— including Sens. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsWhy the polls weren't as wrong as you think The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Mastercard - Congress inches closer to virus relief deal Lawmakers pressure leaders to reach COVID-19 relief deal MORE (Maine) and Jeff Flake
Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeBiden eyeing Cindy McCain for UK ambassador position: report Profiles in cowardice: Trump's Senate enablers McSally concedes Arizona Senate race MORE (Ariz.) — already signaling they will vote for Sessions.
Susan Margaret CollinsWhy the polls weren't as wrong as you think The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Mastercard - Congress inches closer to virus relief deal Lawmakers pressure leaders to reach COVID-19 relief deal MORE (Maine) and Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeBiden eyeing Cindy McCain for UK ambassador position: report Profiles in cowardice: Trump's Senate enablers McSally concedes Arizona Senate race MORE (Ariz.) — already signaling they will vote for Sessions. Sen. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinSunday shows preview: Congress inches toward stimulus package amid COVID-19 surge Sanders says he can't support bipartisan COVID-19 relief proposal in its current form Progressives push for direct payments to be included in COVID-19 relief deal MORE (D-W.Va.), a red-state Democrat up for reelection in 2018, also said last week that he will break with his party and support Sessions.
Joseph (Joe) ManchinSunday shows preview: Congress inches toward stimulus package amid COVID-19 surge Sanders says he can't support bipartisan COVID-19 relief proposal in its current form Progressives push for direct payments to be included in COVID-19 relief deal MORE (D-W.Va.), a red-state Democrat up for reelection in 2018, also said last week that he will break with his party and support Sessions. 