Senator Sherrod Brown will vote "no" on Jeff Sessions for Attorney General

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has announced that he will oppose Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL). Following a meeting with Sessions, who is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing next Tuesday, Brown indicated that he is unconvinced that Sessions will defend civil rights — a justifiable concern, given Sessions’ record.

In a press release, Brown’s office disclosed that the Senator had “pressed Sessions on the need to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and how he would address the urgent need to improve police-community relations,” and found Sessions’ response wanting.

“The U.S. Attorney General’s job is to enforce laws that protect the rights of every American,” Brown said. “I have serious concerns that Senator Sessions’ record on civil rights is at direct odds with the task of promoting justice and equality for all, and I cannot support his nomination.

“Now, more than ever, we need leaders who can bring Americans together to improve police-community relations, ensure that all Americans have access to the ballot, and reform our criminal justice system.”

In addition to Sessions’ abysmal civil rights record, NARAL Pro-Choice America has raised flags about Sessions’ equally horrendous record on women’s rights and equality.

“Jeff Sessions has spent his career trying to push his anti-choice, anti-woman, and anti-equality agenda on women,” NARAL said in a statement, recalling that Sessions has, among other regressive legislation, voted for the unconstitutional 20-week ban on abortion; supported efforts to deny millions access to vital health care by voting to defund Planned Parenthood and to undermine protections against anti-abortion clinic violence; and supported the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which has significantly expanded women’s access to basic health care.

There are plentiful reasons to oppose Sessions occupying this office. I am glad to see Senator Brown leading the way in opposing his nomination. It is time for Democrats to bring the fight.