Sessions’ record of racism and misogyny make him unfit to serve as Attorney General

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2017

Today, the U.S. Senate will begin confirmation hearings for Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who President-elect Donald Trump has nominated to serve as the U.S. Attorney General. In response, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued the following statement:

“It’s no wonder that Sen. Sessions kicks off the week-long marathon of speed nominations, since his record wouldn’t withstand the light of day if given a full public vetting. Sen. Sessions’ record of misogyny and racism makes him unfit to serve in this—or really any—position: he has refused to protect health clinics from acts of anti-abortion terrorism, doesn’t take sexual assault seriously, and even a GOP-led Senate decided that he was too racist to become a federal judge. If confirmed as Attorney General, he will directly threaten the freedom and equality of people across our nation—particularly women and people of color. The Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee should follow its own example and reject Sessions for a promotion once again. He has no business being our nation’s most powerful law enforcement official.”

Sen. Sessions has a long anti-choice record. In the Senate, he:

• Repeatedly voted to allow convicted perpetrators of anti-abortion violence and harassment to evade financial responsibility for their illegal activities by declaring bankruptcy
• Voted against a resolution expressing support of Roe v. Wade
• 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 against protections against anti-abortion clinic violence
• Voted to make anti-choice “crisis pregnancy centers,” many of which mislead, misinform, harass, and intimidate women, eligible for taxpayer funding.

To read the full NARAL Pro-Choice America profile on Sen. Sessions and his anti-choice record click here.

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