Schumer to vote against Sessions

by Rebecca Savransky - 01/12/17 8:10 AM ET

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said he opposes Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), President-elect Donald Trump’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.

{mosads}”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.”

The Attorney General has a sacred obligation to enforce our laws & uphold the constitution.

— Chuck Schumer (@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.

Tags Chuck Schumer Donald Trump Jeff Sessions