SPONSORED:

Schumer to vote against Sessions

By Rebecca Savransky - 01/12/17 08:10 AM EST
 
Schumer to vote against Sessions
© Getty Images

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 SessionsJefferson (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 TrumpDonald 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.

"After reviewing his record and giving careful consideration to his answers during the hearing, I am not confident in Senator Sessions' ability to be a defender of the rights of all Americans, or to serve as an independent check on the incoming administration," Schumer said in a statement, according to CNN.
 
"I am also deeply concerned by his views on immigration, which I saw firsthand during the push for comprehensive immigration reform. For those reasons, I will oppose his nomination to serve as the next attorney general."
 
Schumer also criticized Sessions in a series of tweets where he laid out the requirements of the job of attorney general.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
"The AG must wake up each day ensuring rights of all Americans immigrant, minority, young, old, gay, straight, disabled & not are protected," he tweeted.

"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."

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.

Tags Charles Schumer Chuck Schumer Jeff Sessions Donald Trump