Graham & Sessions commiserate on how it feels to be caricatured as southern racists. "How does that make you feel?" "It does not feel good."
— Rebecca Traister (@rtraister) January 10, 2017
I've no idea whether Sessions personally hates black people.
I know with near certainty that he will try to keep black people from voting.
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) January 10, 2017
Nor are his fellow Republicans, no matter how “nice” they may appear to the Media Village Idiots. Per the Washington Post:
Sen. Cory Booker testified Wednesday that Sen. Jeff Sessions is the wrong man to lead the Justice Department, saying the Alabama Republican’s lengthy record in Congress exposed views that are inconsistent with the venerated job he is seeking.
“If confirmed, Senator 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.”
The remarks marked the first time a sitting senator has testified against a colleague’s nomination for a Cabinet post, and they were among the most notable in Sessions’s two-day confirmation hearing.
In total, legislators heard testimony from 15 supporters and detractors, and Sessions answered questions over more than 101/2 hours. Nothing that was said was likely to stop the Republican-controlled Senate from confirming him, with Democrats failing to land anything close to a fatal blow during the hearing…
Sessions is generally well liked in the Senate, despite views that draw polarized responses. To those in law enforcement and conservative legal circles, he is an honorable man, dedicated to enforcing the law no matter his personal feelings. To civil rights advocates, immigrant advocates and others, his record makes him a troubling selection to lead the Justice Department…
"It was a good feeling" when Supreme Court gutting Voting Rights Act, Sessions says. Tell that to voters who have been disenfranchised
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) January 10, 2017
important story from @pemalevy before Sessions hearing on him blocking black judges https://t.co/DwudzETbTv
— Rebecca Leber (@rebleber) January 9, 2017
Charles P. Pierce, at Esquire:
As far as a political tactic for attaining a government job that makes sensible people blanch at the very thought of your assuming it, unremitting banality in the face of questioning, harsh or otherwise, has served people very, very well. This was why, on the first day of the hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee as to his nomination to be Attorney General, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions wielded unremitting banality so masterfully that butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth and, even if it did, he would be polite and not mention in polite society that he had a mouthful of melted butter, nor spit it into the ashtrays, either. I’m not kidding. If you bought what he was selling, Sessions made Atticus Finch sound like James K. Vardaman.
You know all that really bad stuff he said when he was a senator, and when he was out on the stump pitching for El Caudillo del Mar-A-Lago? Forget about all of that, because he’s going to be the Attorney General now, so none of that counts, no backsies. When he called the NAACP and the ACLU “un-American” organizations back during the 1980s, he only meant in the context of their opposition to the various excellent Reagan Administration adventures in Central America, and then only because he thought their opposition to our proxy death squads would damage the “historic” record of achievement enjoyed by both organizations…
Franken: "Do you agree with Trump that millions of fraudulent votes were cast?"
Sessions: "I do believe we regularly have fraud"
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) January 10, 2017
This is unreal answer from Sessions. Only 4 cases of fraud in 2016 out of 135 million votes https://t.co/02GbFllZ8C https://t.co/5kdQOCE5zs
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) January 10, 2017
Given DOJ powers, this is one of Session's scariest answers. GOP has been committed to making voting tougher by playing up specter of fraud. https://t.co/qByYN8cjWE
— Taniel (@Taniel) January 10, 2017
The “good” news, FWIW, is that Sessions and his defenders at least feel themselves compelled to lie about his history and his beliefs. Dave Weigel got assigned to look for the pony in the pile:
… Noteworthy, too, is the way Sessions and the Trump transition team decided to handle his confirmation hearing. Sessions didn’t mention Trump in his opening statement other than to thank him for the nomination. And even before senators questioned him about the allegations of racism that led the GOP-controlled Judiciary Committee to reject his nomination to the federal bench in 1986, Sessions preemptively defended himself against “damnably false charges.”
The guest seats were filled by the likes of Al Sharpton, Khizr Khan, members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), now the top Democrat on the panel, noted that “there is so much fear in this country . . . particularly in the African American community.”
Sessions said the “caricature of me in 1986” was wrong. “I did not harbor the kind of animosities and race-based discrimination ideas that I was accused of. I did not.”…
Sessions said it was “very painful” to be identified as a racist. He said he saw “systematic and powerful” racism in the South. “I know we need to do better,” Sessions said. “We can never go back.”
Does he believe that? We’ll see…
Jeff Sessions prosecuted three black civil rights activists for voter fraud in 1985. @emilybazelon, with context. https://t.co/h5Jgrkyei4
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 10, 2017
Important to note: civil rights activists prosecuted by Sessions acquitted of all charges within 3 hours by jury https://t.co/LjC2deRFfC pic.twitter.com/07zVRCghTe
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) January 10, 2017
Took 20 mins, but got through. Please take time to tell your Senator to vote NO on Jeff Sessions. 202-225-3121. https://t.co/tYbMckM9mp
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 10, 2017
Much more below the fold — including a few quotes from Sessions’ defenders, at the very end.
During opening remarks, Sen. Sessions expressed concerns “recent jump” in murders are the beginning of a crime wave https://t.co/WMcEhL5ijN
— NPR (@NPR) January 10, 2017
Sessions links public criticism of policing to literal murder of police officers pic.twitter.com/9Hsg97KceW
— Mazel Tov Cocktail (@AdamSerwer) January 10, 2017
From Politico, “Sessions faces decision on politicizing Justice Department“:
Donald Trump suggested on the campaign trail that he could use the Justice Department to fulfill his political agenda, taunting Hillary Clinton by threatening to throw her in jail over her email scandal.
Now, Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s pick for attorney general, will have to decide whether to follow his predecessors by vowing to not let politics drive the DOJ’s decision-making.
The idea that the Justice Department should be free from political interference is not rooted in any statute or explicit constitutional provision. Instead, it evolved through a series of internal policy memos and letters issued by past Justice Department officials from both parties, according to a POLITICO review of historical records.
Sessions, as attorney general, could decide to abandon or overhaul those policies, a concern heightened by Trump’s suggestions during the campaign that he could pursue politically motivated prosecutions.
Notably, Sessions’ nomination is now in the hands of some of the same Republicans who pushed for tougher firewalls between the White House and the Justice Department during the Clinton administration. Those senators, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Orrin Hatch of Utah, have not raised the issue in throwing their support behind Sessions, who faces his first day of confirmation hearings on Tuesday.
“This is the biggest question Jeff Sessions has to answer,” said Matt Miller, a former spokesman for Attorney General Eric Holder, who left office in 2015. “Attorneys general have always established it’s not appropriate for the White House to influence prosecutorial or investigative decisions. But there’s no law or regulation. If they want to change it, they can change it.”…
Feinstein notes that Sessions voted against the immigration bills; fwiw, FAIR (which SPLC keeps calling a hate group) has endorsed him.
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 10, 2017
Sessions has praised a 1924 immigration law designed to keep out Italians, Jews, Africans, Middle Easterners, Asians https://t.co/wiCv3DuMvD
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 10, 2017
Leahy GRILLING Sessions on whether grabbing a woman by the genitals is assault. Sessions finally concedes: "Yes." https://t.co/YLDsaKYA5v
— Jenna //\\ Wortham (@jennydeluxe) January 10, 2017
tbf, asked bc Sessions said during the campaign that it was not assault. https://t.co/V3lk6ZXjH1
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 10, 2017
Scoop: Trump AG nominee Sessions failed to disclose oil interests as required, ethics experts say – via @thamburgerhttps://t.co/6sHkh6CQw7
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) January 10, 2017
Jeff Sessions' face as he hears about @CNN's Russia compromised Trump story from @alfranken at the Judiciary Committee moments ago pic.twitter.com/ECnm1z9ScR
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) January 10, 2017
Tariffs, tax cuts, deregulation, and the Johnson-Reed Act. It's like Coolidge. Except he's not Silent Don https://t.co/C3J2KuOY8j
— Eric Rauchway (@rauchway) January 10, 2017
Blumenthal asks Sessions if he'll appoint a special counsel on Trump's Deutsche Bank conflicts. "I'm not aware of that case," sez Sessions.
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 10, 2017
What is #Sessions' view of state marijuana laws? Will he pressure 'Sanctuary Cities' w/ withholding DOJ grants/forfeiture revenue?
— Jonathan Blanks (@BlanksSlate) January 10, 2017
Sessions gives no clear answer to whether he’d go after #weed even in states w/legalization: "I won’t commit to never enforcing federal law"
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) January 10, 2017
A Sessions quote to rile up the popular vote fans: "The American people spoke clearly in this election and agreed with my view."
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 10, 2017
Sheldon Whitehouse asks Sessions if he ever chanted “Lock her up.” Sessions says “No, I did not. I don’t think."
— Mike Warren (@MichaelRWarren) January 10, 2017
It's not like Sessions would do any dumb ass thing Trump asks him to do or anything. pic.twitter.com/FiLD5oU5cW
— Schooley (@Rschooley) January 10, 2017
***********
When you're a four term senator who's been in elected office since the early 1990s pic.twitter.com/zGdgwmU6sj
— Mazel Tov Cocktail (@AdamSerwer) January 8, 2017
Orrin Hatch asks Sessions to re-establish a DOJ unit going after obscenity/porn. Sessions would "consider it."
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 10, 2017
Grassley: “Sen. Sessions got re-elected without a primary opponent or a general election opponent. Ye gods! Wouldn’t we all like that?"
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 10, 2017
Hatch says he hopes Sessions, one of the first to back Trump's muslim ban, will protect the religious freedom of all americans
— Mazel Tov Cocktail (@AdamSerwer) January 10, 2017
Cornyn tossing Sessions the slowest softballs of the day: "Do you think it’s ever appropriate for someone to assault a police officer?"
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 10, 2017
.@SenTedCruz "enthusiastically" supports @SenatorSessions. He was also proud to support Texas' discriminatory voter ID law. #StopSessions https://t.co/L2DTHE7KoW
— Civil Rights (@civilrightsorg) January 10, 2017
Cruz says to Sessions that he was worried today would become "ugly with accusations that don't belong in this hearing."
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) January 10, 2017
"I don't agree with everything anyone I know has ever said or done, including myself" writes @JoeLieberman in letter endorsing Sessions.
— Niels Lesniewski (@nielslesniewski) January 10, 2017
Mike J
Jose Christo, don’t ask me why but I watched part of the NBC news tonight. They were bending over backwards to fellate Trump whilst he peed on them.
Omnes Omnibus
As someone said earlier today (and I paraphrase), if John Lewis decides to come after you, you should probably rethink your whole life.
Mary G
This is one of the appointments that scares me the most.
Jerzy Russian
That is progress, I guess.
Keith P.
This post wore out my scrollbar.
Mr Stagger Lee
The Bundyites, the 3% ers,, Tenthers, all Righy wing groups will not be bothered, but Black Lives Matter, the No DAPL protestors, LGBT groups and others, you going get green-lighted.
Omnes Omnibus
@Keith P.: She does get a bit over-enthusiastic at times.
JordanRules
Sessions as AG is absolutely terrifying to me. Called Flake and McCains offices, but I don’t know if that kind of action even matters anymore. I know that everyone says it does, but it feels so fake to me for some reason as of the last week or so. I already know we’re getting played by these folks. SMDH
NotMax
Gobsmacking that talk is of pinning hope on Marco Rubio to provide the deciding vote to stop Sessions’ nomination from being passed on to the floor by the committee.
Per National Lampoon, the universe is laughing behind our back.
MomSense
Sessions and Tillerson are disasters. The trump press spectacle was horrifying. Now I’m watching the Senate, who couldn’t be bothered to do a damn thing for years, spend all night taking away our health insurance.
This is a nightmare. What the hell are we supposed to do?
randy khan
To follow up on the call to action, if you are represented by any member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that’s who you should call or write. If you’re not, get in touch with Senators Grassley (the chair) and Leahy (the ranking member) to tell them.
These are the members:
Charles Grassley (R-IA)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Michael Lee (R-UT)
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Thom Tillis (R-NC)
John Kennedy (R-LA)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Al Franken (D-MN)
Christopher Coons (D-DE)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Here’s the Senate contact page: Call or write now
Adam L Silverman
@Omnes Omnibus: And Congressman Clyburne didn’t look particularly amused at the goings on while sitting behind Congressman Lewis.
Omnes Omnibus
Why does a refresh land me midway in AL giant tweet list?
Suzanne
@JordanRules: I called them, too. But I was disappointed to hear Flake basically giving Tillerson a tongue bath on NPR this morning.
None of this matters. We are so fucked. There’s nothing we can do about it.
As I read on Twitter, we are now the country in which it is logical to say, “Don’t let the golden showers distract you from the treason.” We’re done.
Omnes Omnibus
@Adam L Silverman: Golly. One is shocked and shit.
Adam L Silverman
@Omnes Omnibus: Ayep. If you ever wondered what a “look that could kill” actually looked like, that was Congressman Clyburne’s expression.
Omnes Omnibus
@Suzanne: We can stand up and register disagreement. Go on the record. Say this is the result of an antiquated system; it is not who the majority of us are. Don’t allow people to normalize the asshole.
Suzanne
@Omnes Omnibus: I have done and will continue to do that, but it means fuck all. We still have to watch society crumble. The satisfaction of being right is not worth much.
Omnes Omnibus
@efgoldman: Lieberman was a registered Democrat. And you ask why Gore put him on the ticket. It was the fatal flaw of his campaign – the run away from Clinton.
Omnes Omnibus
@Suzanne: Or you could give up. People have fought fascists before in other countries. We can do it here.
MomSense
Anyone else watching cspan 2? One after the other Republicans just lie about the ACA. They are voting on an amendment now that would strip contraception coverage, preventive care, coverage for pregnancy, etc all in the name of protecting women from the high cost and lack of doctors that the evil Obamacare forced on poor women. Sen Gilibrand was apoplectic speaking in opposition.
Yarrow
@Suzanne: A good time perhaps for this reminder.
Omnes Omnibus
@Yarrow: I have to go off to bed now. We are screwed, but we aren’t yet fucked.
West of the Rockies (been a while)
Sessions looks a lot like Elmer Fudd in some pictures; he’s probably about as smart, too.
Mart
@MomSense: “strip contraception coverage, preventive care, coverage for pregnancy”. This never gets to low information, “I could never vote for that bitch voters”. How do we get them to understand who is responsible for this when they lose their coverage? Rush and Fox will let them know they had to do it because Obama sucks.
The GOP has passed a rider where the OMB can not score the cost of their hits to the ACA. Cutting funding for preventive care has a well established scientifically studied impact on increased spending. There are more babies, and more abortions. This costs a lot more than contraception. That even makes sense from the gut.
MomSense
@Mart:
The amendment to protect people with pre-existing conditions and veterans has already failed.
I don’t know what to do. Democratic Senators are in the minority but received millions more votes than the Republican Senators. More of us voted to preserve the ACA but somehow the minority is greater than the majority in our democracy.
Ruckus
I’ve heard some people say we will get through this. Why the fuck do we have to go through the mid 1800’s again? Wasn’t it bad enough the first time?
Stupid mother fuckers who voted to regress 160+ yrs.
I can not see how this country survives this. I just see no way into a positive future.
Someone tell me that I’m wrong, that this is all a very, very bad dream. Wait, don’t bother. Fuck.
Ruckus
@Omnes Omnibus:
How?
Suggestions?
You say we are screwed but not fucked. It sure feels like getting fucked. You know how conservatives say the reason conservatism hasn’t worked is that they just didn’t do it right, didn’t go far enough? This is them going far enough. This is them giving it that last push. This is them fucking every last one of us, just to prove that they’ve been wrong every other time as well.
This is what it looks and feels like when you are getting fucked.
Those people who fought other fascists? Lots and lots of them got fucked in the process, and died for the effort. Small consolation that in the end it didn’t matter which side you were on.
MomSense
The senate is voting now whether or not to place repeal of ACA as budget reconciliation. Dems are getting scolded for making statements when giving their vote. This is devastating.
Ruckus
@Omnes Omnibus:
Can you name one of those fascists who was defeated without violence? I can’t think of one.
It’s not the way I want to live.
It’s not the way I want to die.
Mike G
@efgoldman:
If anything good can be said to have come out of BushCo’s theft of the 2000 election, it’s that Smarm King Lieberman never got to the White House.
Uncle Ebeneezer
Though most of the focus was on Booker and Lewis, I thought Cedric Richmond’s speech was actually the best part (see video).
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/11/watch-congressional-black-caucus-says-jeff-sessions-confirmation-will-set-back-the-cause-of-universal-civil-rights/
Raven Onthill
The ACLU points out that Sessions has also abused his powers as a prosecutor. The worst prosecutor ever is about to become Attorney General of the USA.
Welcome to the police state.
Raven Onthill
@MomSense: Yes, Virginia, there is a Death Caucus.
Raven Onthill
Sessions is Trump’s Himmler. Goddam.
Shalimar
I’m pretty sure Jeff Sessions will find a lot more than 4 fraud cases from 2016. I took my grandmother to the polls in 2008, the last time she voted before alzheimers made it impossible. I filled out the ballot for her, the way she wanted it filled out. If I had done this absentee at home instead of going to the polls, that is exactly what he prosecuted the Turners for over 30 years ago. A lot of people help relatives and friends in this way.
Shalimar
@randy khan: 10 Republicans, 7 Democrats. They have rigged committee representation so no nominees are going to be rejected in committees. Republicans have a larger advantage there than in the full Senate.
randy khan
@Shalimar:
That’s actually a pretty normal distribution. Regardless, if they don’t hear from us, they have an excuse for voting however they want. It’s important to tell them.
Nora
Thanks, MomSense, for your report. I just fired off a note to Gillibrand (my Senator!), thanking her for her heroic efforts in opposition to the Republicans’ war on women. And I do hope the Democrats push that issue hard — yes, Virginia, there is a war on women, and the Republicans are waging it with all their weapons.