U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., of the 2nd Congressional District representing Homewood and Flossmoor, released a statement on the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to serve as the attorney general of the United States. His confirmation hearing began Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Like millions of Americans, I was deeply troubled by the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions to serve as our nation’s next attorney general.
Throughout his public career, Sen. Sessions has actively and aggressive opposed voting rights, civil rights, LGBT rights, religious freedom and women’s rights. Time and time again, he has voted against laws that would protect our nation’s most vulnerable and supported unjust laws overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
In 1986, a conservative Republican-controlled Senate rejected Sen. Sessions’ nomination to the federal bench. He was not rejected because the clock ran out or because the committee’s docket was too extensive. He was rejected because of racist comments and discriminatory actions.
Looking at his voting record and public statements, nothing has changed.
If you’re too racist in 1986 to serve on the federal bench, there is no way you should be attorney general in 2017.
We simply cannot entrust the protection of our most basic rights to someone who has spent their career trying to turn the clock back.
