“The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, charged with the administration of the criminal justice system and the enforcement of our civil rights,” the committee’s Ranking Member Rep. John Conyers (D-Mi.) said in a joint statement. | Getty House Judiciary Democrats announce opposition to Sessions

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee on Saturday announced their unanimous opposition to Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Al.) being confirmed as the next attorney general.

“The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, charged with the administration of the criminal justice system and the enforcement of our civil rights,” the committee’s Ranking Member Rep. John Conyers (D-Mi.) said in a joint statement. “We have grave concerns with Senator Sessions’ potential nomination for this post and urge President-elect Trump to reconsider.”


So far, one Senate Democrat - Joe Manchin of West Virginia - has signaled support for President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department. But no Republicans have come out against him, and he should win confirmation despite expected heavy Democratic opposition, in part because Cabinet nominees now only require 51 votes to pass, under the so-called nuclear option.

House Democrats do not have a say in the matter, but their statement lays down another marker for the party.

In opposing his nomination, Democrats like Conyers have brought up the Alabama senator’s failed confirmation to the federal bench in 1986. At the time, senators came forward and argued Sessions had a history of making racist remarks.

The Trump transition team has defended Sessions. On Saturday morning Sean Spicer, communications director for the Republican National Committee, pointed reporters to Session’s time in the Senate, including pushing legislation honoring Rosa Parks, as an example of his “strong record on civil rights.”