Sen. Coons to vote ‘no’ on Sessions for Attorney General

It’s a no vote from U.S. Senator Chris Coons on President-elect Trump’s nominee for Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Coons announced his decision against Session via email Friday afternoon. He made the decision after listening to Sessions answer questions during his confirmation hearing and after hearing from a number of Delawareans.

“On many important issues, including voting rights, civil rights, sentencing reform, LGBT rights, domestic violence protections, immigration reform, religious freedom, civil liberties, and torture, Senator Sessions has actively opposed bipartisan efforts to advance justice,” Coons said in a statement.

Coons said although he believes Sessions would uphold the law, even laws he disagrees with, that’s not enough. “The role of Attorney General is bigger than that,” Coons said. “I am concerned that Senator Sessions’ record as a prosecutor and an elected official demonstrates that on too many occasions he did not take action when there was an opportunity to stand up for the vulnerable, promote civil rights, or advance justice.”

Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey made a rare plea to his fellow senators to vote against Sessions. Booker was joined in that effort by civil rights leader Georgia Rep. John Lewis and others.