
Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerBiden takes victory lap after Senate passes coronavirus relief package Lawmakers demand changes after National Guard troops at Capitol sickened from tainted food Ron Johnson forces reading of 628-page Senate coronavirus relief bill on floor MORE (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said he opposes Sen. Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsTanden withdraws nomination as Biden budget chief Manchin flexes muscle in 50-50 Senate Udalls: Haaland criticism motivated 'by something other than her record' MORE (R-Ala.), President-elect Donald Trump
Donald TrumpBiden to sign executive order aimed at increasing voting access Albany Times Union editorial board calls for Cuomo's resignation Advocates warn restrictive voting bills could end Georgia's record turnout MORE's pick to serve as attorney general.
"The AG ensures that POTUS & the Admin's policies adhere to American values& ideals & is a check to ensure the President is not above the law."
The Attorney General has a sacred obligation to enforce our laws & uphold the constitution.
— Chuck SchumerChuck SchumerBiden takes victory lap after Senate passes coronavirus relief package Lawmakers demand changes after National Guard troops at Capitol sickened from tainted food Ron Johnson forces reading of 628-page Senate coronavirus relief bill on floor MORE (@SenSchumer) January 12, 2017
The AG must wake up each day ensuring rights of all Americans immigrant, minority, young, old, gay, straight, disabled & not are protected.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 12, 2017
The AG ensures that POTUS & the Admin's policies adhere to American values& ideals & is a check to ensure the President is not above the law
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 12, 2017
I am not confident in Sen Sessions' ability to defend the rights of all Americans, or to serve as indep. check on the next administration.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 12, 2017
Sessions has faced backlash over his record on civil rights since his selection and throughout his Senate confirmation hearings this week.
The Senate in 1986 opposed appointing Sessions to a federal judgeship in part due to disparaging remarks he allegedly made about the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union. He strongly denied the accusations back then and again this week.
Critics also point to his prosecution of black voting rights activists for voter fraud and other civil rights concerns.