Racial issues likely to come up at Sessions' Senate hearing

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Nov 19, 2:50 AM EST
By ERIC TUCKER and CHAD DAY
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate confirmation hearing of Sen. Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, is likely to rehash racially charged allegations that derailed his efforts to become a federal judge and made him a symbol of black-voter intimidation under the Reagan administration.

The expected focus on Sessions' record on race, policing and immigration comes as the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has surged in prominence under the Obama administration. If confirmed, Sessions would have broad latitude to define how federal prosecutors across the country wield their powers and make changes to the Justice Department's priorities.

Lawmakers and advocates expressed concern Friday that Sessions could sideline or undo the Obama administration's civil rights efforts, which have included investigations of police departments for unconstitutional practices and lawsuits meant to protect the rights of transgender individuals and black voters.

"Given some of his past statements and his staunch opposition to immigration reform, I am very concerned about what he would do with the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice and want to hear what he has to say," incoming Democratic Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York said in a statement.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRUMP_SESSIONS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-11-19-02-50-35

[cstanleytech]

1. Personally I think the Democrats need to show the same level of respect to Trumps

choices as the GOP showed to Obamas.

[ReRe]

2. Amen! eom

[kebob]

4. Fire with Fire

Amen, indeed!

[Chakab]

8. They should have treated the Republicans the same way that they are going to

be treated now that they are in the minority, but they spent years playing patty cakes and trying to appease them instead when they had the majority.

Until there is a massive overhaul of the party, I don't know why anybody would expect them to mount effective opposite to the Republicans.

It's clear that the majority of people in the Democratic caucus in both Houses have been selected by donors to roll over to the Republicans without even trying to put up a fight.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Put a "hold" on him

and keep it forever.

[Grey Lemercier]

5. that will not work, under the rules of the Senate Mitch McConnell

can refuse to accept the hold. Joe Manchin has already defected from the Dems and will support Sessions btw.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I can't find anything that indicates that such a power actually exists

I.e., that the Majority leader can torpedo a "hold" (outside of for scheduling).

They recently amended the "anonymous hold" rule to either force any "anonymous Senator" who invokes a "hold" to come forward, otherwise the hold would be have to be attributed -

The new limits on the right of a senator to block a bill or nomination through an anonymous objection — known in the Senate as a “hold” — were approved on an overwhelming vote of 92 to 4.

A senator will now be required to acknowledge a hold in the Congressional Record within two days of imposing one. If the senator does not do so, the hold would then automatically be attributed to the party leader or another senator who might have initiated the hold at a colleague’s request. The thinking is that senators may be unwilling to accept responsibility for an objection lodged by a colleague, putting pressure on that senator to step forward.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/us/politics/28cong.html?_r=3&

The last thing negotiated for rules related to the halting blockage of minor appointments (SES like regional directors or deputy department heads, etc). A "hold" can be released through a cloture vote.

Because the Executive branch is about to change, the subject of appointments would shift to the GOP and similar behavior by Democrats against their nominees.

[turbinetree]

7. And now the "normalization" part two begins

a white nationalist as an "adviser" and ass**** leader parading around and another "republican racist as the attorney general looking for pay back.

And just think if you have to go into "any" federal building you get two see a picture of a racist with orange hair and next him will be a bigot with white hair.
I wonder if I go into the social security administration and request them to remove the pictures, since I paid for the building one way or another, or stand there and flip them off


Still pi***d off

[McCamy Taylor]

9. This is Trump. His AG litimus test is "You will never prosecute me or a friend, right?"

[still_one]

10. They should, and they should be strongly condemned, and the Democrats need to use every opportunity

to expose it

[dhill926]

11. bring up this asshole's racist past (and present)...

early and often. The fact he couldn't get approved as a federal judge under Reagan. Pound the piece of shit mercilessly....or suffer the consequences.

[WhiteTara]

12. There should be no hearings for Sessions

and instead of calling about investigations of Trump, we need to be calling Democrats and acting as their spines so they will not cave to the nightmare that is about to consume us.