Two Democratic lawmakers testify against Sessions, question civil-rights commitment
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia on Wednesday questioned Jeff Sessions’ commitment to civil rights in testimony at Sessions’ confirmation hearing to become attorney general.
Both lawmakers are Democrats, but their testimony is not part of a coordinated Democratic attack on Sessions’ record on race and voting rights, the New York Times reports.
Their statements are in contrast to testimony by two black men who formerly worked with Sessions and supported his nomination, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. Also testifying in support of Sessions was former deputy attorney general Larry Thompson, who is also black, according to blog coverage by AL.com.
Testifying on Tuesday, Sessions denied “false charges” that he had a poor record on civil rights. “I deeply understand the history of civil rights and the horrendous impact that relentless and systemic discrimination and the denial of voting rights has had on our African-American brothers and sisters,” said Sessions, a Republican senator from Alabama.
Booker disagreed on Wednesday, saying Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to the aggressive pursuit of civil rights and equal justice. It was the first time a sitting senator has testified against a colleague nominated for a cabinet post, the Washington Post reports.
“If confirmed, Sen. Sessions will be required to pursue justice for women, but his record indicates that he won’t,” Booker said. “He will be expected to defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian and transgender Americans, but his record indicates that he won’t. He will be expected to defend voting rights, but his record indicates that he won’t. He will be expected to defend the rights of immigrants and affirm their human dignity, but the record indicates that he won’t.”
Lewis, a former civil rights leader who was beaten during the Selma march, expressed misgivings about Sessions’ law-and-order reputation. “Those who are committed to equal justice in our society wonder whether Senator Sessions’ call for law and order will mean today what it meant in Alabama when I was coming up back then,” Lewis said. “The rule of law was used to violate the human and civil rights of the poor, the dispossessed, people of color.”
