Critics say Jeff Sessions' confirmation hearing too short, too few witnesses

Al.com ^ | January 7, 2017 | Howard Koplowitz

[Zakeet]

The rules set by Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican from Iowa and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, schedule Sessions' hearings for two days, with one day mostly devoted to testimony from Sessions and the second day featuring testimony from nine witnesses -- five called by Republicans and four called by Democrats. The witness lists are still being finalized; a Judiciary Committee spokeswoman told AL.com that the names should be made public on Monday, a day before the hearing.

After the two days of testimony, the 16-member committee will then vote whether to send Sessions' nomination to the full Senate, where the senator will need a majority of members to confirm him to head the Justice Department.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the body, is pushing to delay the hearings in order to extend the confirmation process, allow the committee to call additional witnesses and gather more information so the committee can better judge Sessions, who has been criticized for handing the committee an incomplete questionnaire for review.

[Snip]

Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, argued that a lack of witnesses means Sessions won't be getting a proper vetting. Among her concerns are whether the committee will hear from Alabamians who can testify that Sessions is "not a civil rights advocate."

"It speaks to the refusal to the leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee," she said on the Friday conference call. "We need time, and we need witnesses, and we need an opportunity to fully untangle the responsibilities of attorney general."

[WENDLE]

I read that Susan Collins is leading the Charge for Sessions. He is one of the best liked men in the Senate. This is over. I laugh every time I realize that the DEms went nuclear and al;l we need in 51 VOTE!!!! BWAAAHHHHAAAAA! Praise Jesus!!

[zaxtres]

Well Reid was the stupid one to allow this. Reap what you sow and sow what you reap. In this case RIP to the dems stopping nominations.

[DaxtonBrown]

“hey can’t find the money to FUND a GRAND JURY???”

Yup, that’s how politically bolloxed this is. There is $1.5 million sitting in a general Utah prosecution that is being blocked by Utah AG Sean Reyes. Prosecutor only needs $50 k to do Grand Jury. FBI, DOJ and some Ut Repubs all fighting to block. We are now at the shit or get off the pot moment. Will know this week, or go to Sessions.

It can’t happen in Nevada, too many people bought off. Trust me, this is bigger than anyone even knows.

[Dave W]

Oh, ok. I’ll just wait for the behind the scenes action to make themselves known. Thanks for the heads up!

[prairiebreeze]

Thanks for the pings Leni