Alabama delegation praises Jeff Sessions after day 1 of confirmation hearing
Shortly after the first day of Sen. Jeff Sessions‘ confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, his Alabama colleagues were signing his praises saying the senator handled himself well and would make for a great attorney general. Here’s what the Alabama delegation had to say: Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby: While it was a long day of questioning, Senator Sessions was well-prepared and represented the state of Alabama admirably. Throughout today’s hearing, Jeff handled himself with the same humility and patience that has earned him the deep respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I am proud to call Jeff Sessions a dear friend and look forward to continuing to give him my unwavering support throughout the nomination process. He is a man of great integrity who will apply the law fairly to all Americans, and I have no doubt that he will be confirmed by the Judiciary Committee as well as the full Senate. Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: Senator Sessions’ ethical nature, dedication to public service, and commitment to the rule of law shined throughout his confirmation hearing today. He showed great poise and a deep understanding on a wide range of important issues. The petty political attacks on his character fell flat, and Senator Sessions just further indicated why he is the perfect choice to lead the Justice Department. Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: Senator Sessions really knocked it out of the park today. He was fully prepared and poised in the face of some pretty tough questioning. I’m glad that the American people are finally seeing in Jeff Sessions the principled, fair-minded leader that Alabamians have known for many years. I have no doubt the Senate will ultimately confirm Jeff Sessions as the next Attorney General of the United States. Alabama 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers: Today, the country saw what we in Alabama have known for many years – Jeff Sessions is a man of great character. Jeff’s steady and honest performance in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee is exactly what I’d expect from him. His knowledge of the law is unmatched. He respects the rule of law, and as Attorney General he will bring integrity to the Department of Justice. I am proud to call Jeff a colleague and friend. Alabama 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt: Senator Sessions did a fantastic job today in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His knowledge of the law, his commitment to upholding the law, and his desire for justice was on full display today. He demonstrated what the people of Alabama already know, that he will make a great United States Attorney General. Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: Senator Jeff Sessions made the State of Alabama proud with his display of honor and dignity during today’s U.S. Senate Attorney General confirmation hearing. I have been fortunate to know Senator Sessions for more than 20 years and admire him as a dedicated public servant of strong moral character, committed to upholding the rule of law. Today, Senator Sessions promised to restore respect and support for America’s law officers, protect religious freedoms across the country, and enforce federal immigration laws. President-elect Donald Trump selected the right man to serve as America’s next United States Attorney General and I look forward to his expeditious confirmation. Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: I have always believed that Senator Jeff Sessions would make an excellent United States Attorney General. Today Senator Sessions showed the American people his outstanding record and that he is a man of deep and unwavering integrity. I am confident the Senate Judiciary Committee will come together and favorably report Senator Sessions’ appointment to be the next Attorney General. Under Senator Sessions’ leadership, the Department of Justice will uphold and enforce the laws and the Constitution. The Committee will reconvene Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. ET to resume its confirmation proceedings. No more testimony is expected from Senator Sessions himself. Live coverage of the hearing is available on Alabama Today.
Personnel note: Business Council of Alabama announces staff changes
On Tuesday, Business Council of Alabama President and CEO William J. Canary announced new titles and duties for several BCA staff members. “I am pleased to announce new position titles and responsibilities for five BCA staff members who hold key positions and make valuable contributions to our effort to advocate for Alabama business owners, employees, and families,” Canary said. “With their new duties we will continue to move ahead with confidence and provide the same high level of service both internally and externally to our members.” Below are the staff changes: Patricia A. Everett has been named Accountant and Deputy Treasurer for ProgressPAC. Everett has been with the BCA since 2009. She is an accountant who interned with the BCA while attending Huntingdon College and is responsible for daily general accounting and maintaining the books and reporting for ProgressPAC. Elaine J. Fincannon, CAE, is Senior Vice President for Investor Relations, Services and Development for the BCA. She serves as part of the BCA’s Advocacy Team. In addition to providing services to BCA-member companies, Fincannon serves as a BCA liaison to Alabama chambers of commerce and works with The Partnership between the BCA and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama on programs such as the Small Business Alliance of Alabama. Nancy Wall Hewston has been named Senior Vice President for Communications, Strategic Information and Federal Affairs where she is responsible for the development and integration of the BCA’s communication strategy to promote the BCA and its policy agenda to its key audiences, including BCA members, federal and state policymakers, opinion leaders, media, national and state partner organizations, and the public. Hewston also is responsible for the development and implementation of the BCA’s federal legislative agenda. Hewston joined the BCA in 2010 after nearly a decade on Capitol Hill. Kimberly Langley has been named Director of Investor Relations where she is responsible for the BCA’s membership database, membership renewal notices, and new member processing for Investor Relations. She joined the BCA in 1997, where she worked for the BCA’s former legislative tracking service, Alabama Business Network, before eventually joining Investor Relations in 2001. Cherry Smith Ragan has been named Office Manager/Executive Assistant for Finance & Administration. Ragan’s duties include assisting in daily office and front desk operations, providing support to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration/CFO, President and CEO, Director of Finance and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Chief of Staff. Ragan has been with the BCA since 1997.
Homeland Security pick cites securing border as top priority
Donald Trump‘s choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security says closing the border to the “illegal movement of people and things” will be his top priority if confirmed. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly outlined his priorities in a detailed questionnaire to senators. The questionnaire was released Tuesday ahead of Kelly’s confirmation hearing later in the day. Kelly embraced Trump’s call for a strong border wall with Mexico. He said that achieving his top priority of shutting down illegal movements “starts with physical obstacles like a border wall and supporting surveillance technologies.” He said it will also require constant patrols from federal and local law enforcement. The confirmation of Kelly, a retired Marine general, is almost assured, but members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will likely use the hearing to debate the tough immigration and border security policies that were centerpieces of Trump’s presidential campaign. Kelly is one of several retired generals tapped for top positions by Trump. That has raised some concerns about undue military influence in his administration, weakening the American tradition of civilian control of government. But Kelly is widely respected by Democrats and Republicans alike, and his military experience is applicable to his Homeland Security role. He’s the former head of the military’s Southern Command, based in South Florida, which routinely works with the Department of Homeland Security to combat human trafficking and drug smuggling. The military command has also partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a part of Homeland Security, to help rescue unaccompanied child immigrants trying to make their way from Central America to the United States alone. In the questionnaire, Kelly said he is committed to telling “truth to power.” The commitment addresses concerns that some lawmakers have about the president-elect’s willingness to take in points of view that clash with his own. Kelly told the committee that his that his greatest successes during 40-plus years in the military are: “taking care of my people, speaking ‘truth to power,’ and successfully completing every mission I have ever been assigned.” He said he has worked with many senior U.S. officials during his career. “I never hesitated to disagree with any of them, or make difficult recommendations when appropriate,” Kelly said. Also, in newly released ethics disclosures, Kelly said that if confirmed he will resign positions with multiple consulting and government contractor firms and defense contractor DynCorp. Kelly listed his salary with DynCorp, a company awarded a 2016 contract from DHS to train Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, as more than $166,000. In a statement prepared for the Senate hearing, Republican chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin praised Kelly as having a “deep knowledge and understanding of the grave security threats facing our nation and the sacrifices that are required to keep us safe.” Kelly joined the Marine Corps in 1970. He is a battle-hardened, blunt-talking veteran who served three tours in Iraq. He was also the highest-ranking officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in November 2010 in Afghanistan. Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nation’s coastlines, stop drug smuggling and secure air travel. Kelly, in his statement for the committee, said he has a “profound respect for the rule of law” and as secretary “will always strive to uphold it.” That is likely to resonate with Republicans, who have complained that President Barack Obama has been too lax in his enforcement of immigration laws and have generally supported Trump’s proposals. Trump has vowed to deport millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, focusing first on criminals. Kelly is likely to be asked his views on how to accomplish that. Trump pledged during the campaign to build a border wall – and have Mexico pay for it – though since winning the White House he has softened his stance on both the kind of barrier he wants and how it will be financed. Last week, Republicans suggested the wall could be paid for from regular spending legislation authorized by Congress. Trump insists that Mexico would reimburse the United States for the costs, but Mexico says it will not do so. Republish with permission of The Associated Press.
Book sales suspended for Donald Trump aide accused of plagiarism
The publisher of Monica Crowley‘s “What the (Bleep) Just Happened?” said Tuesday it is halting sales of the book, pending the “opportunity” for the aide to President-elect Donald Trump to revise her text. Crowley is a syndicated talk show host and Trump’s pick to serve as director of communications at the White House’s National Security Council. She is accused of plagiarizing numerous passages in the 2012 book, an anti-Obama work that was praised by future Trump supporters Sarah Palin and Rudolph Giuliani, among others. On Tuesday, HarperCollins announced the book and its 2013 edition, “What the (Bleep) Just Happened . . . Again?” will “no longer be offered for purchase until such time as the author has the opportunity to source and revise the material.” Both editions have the same basic material, but the 2013 book includes a new foreword, in which Crowley responds to Obama’s re-election. The hardcover of “What the (Bleep) Just Happened?” is out of print, but the 2012 edition has been available as an e-book. As of Tuesday morning, “What the (Bleep) Just Happened . . . Again?” was available as a paperback. By midday, links to both books had been removed from Amazon.com, but remained on Barnes & Noble.com. CNN first reported over the weekend that Crowley appeared to have plagiarized large sections of her book. Their review found more than 50 examples of apparent plagiarism from sources that include news articles and Wikipedia. Trump’s transition team came to Crowley’s defense, dismissing the allegation as “nothing more than a politically motivated attack that seeks to distract from the real issues facing this country.” Politico Magazine published evidence this week suggesting Crowley had also plagiarizing several sections of her doctoral dissertation at Columbia University. The publication found more than a dozen instances in which Crowley appeared to lift from other works without providing proper attribution. Transition officials have not responded to questions about the allegations regarding Crowley’s academic work or HarperCollins’ decision to suspend sales of her book. Crowley also faced plagiarism allegations in 1999 after a piece she wrote on the 25th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s resignation ran in The Wall Street Journal. “There are striking similarities in phraseology between ‘The Day Richard Nixon Said Goodbye,’ an editorial feature Monday by Monica Crowley, and a 1988 article by Paul Johnson in Commentary magazine,” the Journal noted a few days later. “Had we known of the parallels, we would not have published the article.” HarperCollins is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Murdoch has been critical of Trump in the past, tweeting in 2015, “When is Donald Trump going to stop embarrassing his friends, let alone the whole country?” But the two have apparently become closer. On Monday, Trump tweeted, “Rupert Murdoch is a great guy who likes me much better as a very successful candidate than he ever did as a very successful developer!” Republish with permission of The Associated Press.
Democrat criticizes Barack Obama for slow response to Russian hacks
The Senate intelligence committee’s top Democrat criticized the Obama administration on Tuesday for its slow response to allegations of Russian hacking during the presidential campaign as the panel heard from the director of the FBI, whom several Democrats criticized for announcing a new probe of Hillary Clinton‘s emails 11 days before the election. Sen. Mark Warner‘s comments reflected the ongoing discontent among Democrats with how President Barack Obama handled evidence of the Kremlin’s tampering with the U.S. democratic process. The Virginia Democrat said the administration deserved at least some criticism for the pace of its response and made clear he thought it should have acted sooner and stronger. FBI Director James Comey and James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, were speaking to the committee about the conclusions of a report presented last week by U.S. intelligence agencies to Obama, President-elect Donald Trump and senior members of Congress. An unclassified version also was made public, outlining the agencies’ claims of Russian actions designed to undermine the election and help Trump by hurting Clinton. While Democrats say they accept the vote, many lawmakers feel that if Obama and his intelligence agencies were more forthright in the run-up to the election about putting up red flags and warning signs, the result may have been different. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the intelligence committee’s chairman, said he had no reason to doubt the findings of last week’s report. But he said “our democracy is not at risk,” adding that Americans can have faith in the democratic process. And he said his committee’s staff would assess the sourcing behind the intelligence agencies’ conclusions. The declassified report explicitly tied Russian President Vladimir Putin to the hacking of email accounts of the Democratic National Committee and individual Democrats like Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta. Russia also used state-funded propaganda and paid “trolls” to make nasty comments on social media services, the report said, although there was no suggestion such operations affected the actual vote count. The report lacked details about how the U.S. learned what it says it knows, such as any intercepted conversations or electronic messages from Russian leaders, including Putin. It also said nothing about specific hacker techniques or digital tools the U.S. may have traced back to Russia in its investigations. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday the Kremlin believes the U.S. accusations of election hacking have no substance. He called them “amateurish.” According to U.S. intelligence agencies, Russia provided the emails to WikiLeaks. The website’s founder, Julian Assange, has denied that is the case, but Democratic and Republican members of Congress have largely backed the accusation and many have demanded a sterner response than Obama has ordered. Obama struck back at Moscow in late December with penalties aimed at Russia’s leading spy agencies, the GRU and FSB, that the U.S. said were involved in the hacking. The GRU is Russia’s military intelligence agency. The FSB is the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB. On Monday, the U.S. levied economic sanctions against five Russians in connection to a 2012 U.S. law punishing Russian human rights violators. Americans are now banned from doing business with the men and any assets they may have in the United States are now frozen. The most prominent individual targeted by the new sanctions is Alexander Bastrykin, who heads Russia’s main investigative agency and is close to Putin. The two attended the same university together. Republish with permission of The Associated Press.
CVS out of preferred network for some Blue Cross plans; 390,000 Alabamians affected
Some Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBS-AL) customers who get their prescriptions from CVS will soon have to pay full price for their prescriptions or find another local pharmacy for their insurance to help cover the cost. As of January 1, CVS is no longer in the preferred network for certain BCBS plans. BCBS-AL and its pharmacy benefit manager, Prime Therapeutics, made the change when they developed new preferred pharmacy networks in 2016. They claim the change will affect roughly 13 percent, or 390,000, of their 2.9 million customers in the Yellowhammer State. “This change was made to help offset the continuous rise in prescription drug costs,” said Koko Mackin, vice president of corporate communications and community relations for Blue Cross. “The new pharmacy networks will provide the best medications for the best price.” Mackin said CVS is the only national chain not participating in the new networks. The network change does not affect Medicare members who have Blue Advantage, Blue Rx and/or C Plus coverage.
Jeff Sessions: there was an organized effort to caricature me as something that wasn’t true
Sen. Jeff Sessions addressed accusations of racism Tuesday during his Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. Attorney General — explaining he was first unfairly caricatured as racist during his 1986 confirmation hearing to be President Ronald Reagan’s nominee for U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama. “When I came up as a United States Attorney, I had no real support group, I didn’t prepare myself well in 1986, and there was an organized effort to caricature me as something that wasn’t true,” Sessions said before the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I hope my tenure in this body has shown you that the caricature that was created of me was not accurate. It wasn’t accurate then, and it’s not accurate now,” he continued. Fellow Southern, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham asked Sessions, “I am from South Carolina so I know what it means to be accused of being a conservative from the South — meaning a racist or a bigot. How does that make you feel?” “It was very painful, I didn’t know how to respond, and didn’t respond very well. I hope my tenure in this body has shown you that the caricature that was created of me wasn’t accurate, it wasn’t accurate then and it’s not accurate now,” the junior senator from Alabama added. Sessions was denied the federal judgeship in 1986 after issues were raised about comments he had made regarding the Klu Klux Klan. Tuesday’s hearing is the first of two days of hearings scheduled for Sessions’ confirmation as attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump.
John Kerry: ‘More forceful ways’ may be needed with North Korea
Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday the U.S. may need “more forceful ways” of dealing with North Korea if it develops an intercontinental ballistic missile that threatens America. Speaking at the U.S. Naval Academy, Kerry said nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea’s “reckless dictator” Kim Jong Un pose one of the most serious national security challenges to the United States. Kerry urged Donald Trump‘s incoming administration to work closely with China, Pyongyang’s main trading partner, to exert more economic pressure on North Korea. He said the aim should be resuming talks on denuclearization that could open the way to economic assistance for North Korea, sanctions relief and a formal peace on the divided Korean Peninsula. But Kerry said if the North persists in developing the long-range missile it “drags the United States into an immediate threat situation to which we may then have to find other ways, more forceful ways of having an impact on the choices that he is making.” Kerry didn’t elaborate. Kim announced in his annual New Year’s address that the country had reached the “final stages” of intercontinental ballistic missile development. Trump responded with a tweet, saying “It won’t happen!” but did not indicate how his administration would prevent it. Over the past eight years, the Obama administration has cranked up sanctions on Pyongyang, invested more in missile defense and staged occasional shows of military force. But its policies have failed to stall North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs. The North conducted two underground nuclear explosions and more than two dozen missile test launches last year. Republish with permission of The Associated Press.
Gary Shelton: Even in loss, Alabama is still football royalty
Now about this: They lost, which doesn’t happen often. They gave up the winning touchdown late, which is rare. Their defense gave out of gas, which was amazing to see. Still, in all, the University of Alabama is still one of the nation’s premier football teams as far as legacy. Before you chide the Tide, think of it this way: What other program would dare to be disappointed by finishing second in the nation. Ah, but Alabama is the home of national championships, houndstooth hats and lore. And know this: When the Tide lose, it’s generally because another legend has been born. The Tide had never faced a quarterback like Watson in any of their national championship seasons. Monday night, it was Deshaun Watson, who led Clemson on an incredible comeback. In two years, Watson has thrown for 825 yards and seven touchdowns. What other quarterback has ever done that on a national stage? Still, Alabama’s place in college football is likely to be unchanged. Who would you pick as next year’s national champion? ESPN says Alabama. So does Bleacher Report. How about the year after? The year after that? As long as Nick Saban is steering the machine, the Tide is expected to be elite. It has always been this way. In one poll or another, Alabama has won a version of 16 national championships. Wallace Wade. Frank Thomas. Bear Bryant. Gene Stallings. Saban. The first beat I ever had in journalism as Alabama. I covered Bryant’s last two titles at the school, and there was no other place quite like it. The Tide came opponents in waves, with their tearaway jerseys and Bryant’s leather-skin and his smoke-tinged voice. Alabama had too much defense, too much precision on offense, too many players, too much history. Bryant would win six titles, and although his team lost its bowl games in 1964 and 1973, people tend to forget 1966. That year, the Tide was a two-time defending champion and the only unbeaten and untied team in the country … and finished third after Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie. Eventually, Bryant has morphed into Saban who, frankly, has it harder. In his early years, Bryant could lose a bowl game and still win a national title. He lost to Southern Cal in the 1978 regular season, but earned a split. He never had to negotiate a playoff run, which can be tricky. Still, Saban has been successful with a distinct formula. The Tide plays superb defense. It usually has a great running back. And it often plays around its quarterback. This time, freshman Jalen Hurts wasn’t good enough. What both Bryant and Saban did was win most of the time. It is still unexpected to see an Alabama coach at the podium following a loss. It’s a sun-setting-in-the-south sort of feeling. Today, the Alabama Crimson Tide is no longer a champion. Just royalty. ___ Gary Shelton is one of the most recognized and honored sportswriters in the history of Florida. He has won the APSE’s national columnist of the year twice and finished in the top 10 eight times. He was named the Florida Sports Writer of the Year six times. Over his time in sports writing, Gary has covered 29 Super Bowls, 10 Olympics, Final Fours, Masters, Wimbledons and college national championships. He was there when the Bucs won a Super Bowl, when the Lightning won a Stanley Cup and when the Rays went to a World Series. He has seen Florida, FSU and Miami all win national championships, and he covered Bear Bryant, Bobby Bowden and Don Shula along the way. He and his wife Janet have four children: Eric, Kevin, K.C. and Tori. To contact, visit garysheltonsports@gmail.com
Obama health law posts solid sign-ups despite GOP repeal vow
Congress may be moving to repeal “Obamacare,” but millions of people are still signing up. The administration said Tuesday that 11.5 million enrolled nationwide through Dec. 24, ahead of last year’s pace. Administration officials said about 290,000 more people have signed up than at the same time last year, evidence that the Affordable Care Act is on sound footing despite rising premiums, dwindling choice and healthy people holding back from getting coverage. Separately, the IRS said Tuesday that the average fine for those who remained uninsured more than doubled for the 2015 tax year, rising to $470. The law requires virtually all Americans to have coverage or risk fines. While acknowledging what they call “headwinds,” Obama administration officials said the latest sign-up numbers refute claims by GOP leaders that the health care law is in a “death spiral” and about to collapse because of its own problems. Among the Republicans making such claims are President-elect Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “This market is not merely stable; it is on track for growth,” said Aviva Aron-Dine, a senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services. “Today we can officially pronounce these death spiral claims false.” On Capitol Hill, Ryan showed no signs of changing his tune. He cast the GOP repeal drive as a rescue mission. “We are in the middle of a rescue mission to save the families who are getting caught up in the death spiral that has become Obamacare,” he told reporters. An outside analyst looking at the numbers said it’s conceivable that the health law’s markets could stabilize this year without any action by lawmakers. Larry Levitt of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation said sharp premium increases for 2017 do not seem to have driven away droves of customers. About 8 in 10 receive subsidies that are designed to increase if the cost of insurance goes up. “With sign-ups holding steady there are absolutely no signs of a market collapse,” said Levitt. “The higher premiums insurers are charging in 2017 suggest that more insurers will likely be turning a profit on marketplace business this year.” One major caveat: The administration report provided no information on people buying individual policies outside of HealthCare.gov and state-run insurance markets. An estimated 5 million to 9 million customers outside the government marketplaces get no subsidies and may bear the full brunt of premium increases. The health law expanded coverage through a combination of taxpayer-subsidized private insurance and a state option to expand Medicaid for low-income people. Experts say it’s largely responsible for reducing the nation’s uninsured rate to a historic low of about 9 percent. The administration has set a goal of 13.8 million people signed up by the time open enrollment ends on Jan. 31. Officials believe a strong finish will bolster the case for preserving President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy achievement. With the final deadline less than three weeks away, the administration is planning advertising and grassroots outreach to millions of people who qualify for subsidized coverage under the law, but remain uninsured. The IRS is also involved, sending reminder letters to people who paid tax penalties for being uninsured that they can avoid future fines by signing up. Data released Tuesday by the IRS for the 2016 tax filing season showed that the average fine jumped, although the number of taxpayers penalized went down. Under the law, the dollar amount of penalties for being uninsured increases with time. It’s meant as a stiff nudge to get healthy people into the insurance pool. The IRS said the average fine rose to about $470 for tax year 2015, compared with an average penalty of about $210 for tax year 2014. About 6.5 million households paid the penalty, which remains the most unpopular feature of the health law. For tax year 2016, the basic fine is $695, and it’s scheduled to increase thereafter for inflation. Republicans have promised to repeal the so-called individual mandate to carry insurance and the fines that enforce it, which are deducted from taxpayers’ anticipated refunds. But if the GOP wants to preserve guaranteed coverage for people with pre-existing medical problems, Republicans will have to find other ways to compel healthy people into the insurance pool to help keep premiums in check. Republish with permission of The Associated Press.
Richard Shelby introduces fellow Alabamian Jeff Sessions in AG confirmation hearing
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby introduced fellow Alabamian, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning. Sessions has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as America’s next United States Attorney General. Read the Senator’s full remarks before the Committee below: Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Feinstein, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this historic hearing. Although my friend and colleague Jeff Sessions is well-known to the members of this committee, it is my distinct privilege to introduce him as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as our next United States Attorney General. Before joining the Senate, Jeff began his distinguished career as a practicing attorney, Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, and United States Attorney for Alabama’s Southern District before ultimately becoming the Attorney General of Alabama. During the past twenty years that I have served with Jeff in the Senate, I have had the opportunity to know him well – not just as a skilled attorney with an accomplished record as a prosecutor and legislator, but as a man of extraordinary character. I have the highest regard not only for his intellect, but for his integrity. Unfortunately, since the announcement of his nomination, Jeff’s political opponents have attacked his character with baseless and tired allegations. But, in reality, Jeff’s extensive record of treating all Americans equally under the law is clear and well-documented. Throughout his decades of public service, including his impressive tenure on this committee, Jeff’s commitment to upholding the rule of law is unparalleled. The integrity, humility, and gravity with which Jeff will approach the office of Attorney General is unquestionable. I have no doubt that he will apply the law with the impartiality required of the job. I am confident that this committee will report favorably and expeditiously Jeff Sessions’ nomination to be the next United States Attorney General.
Opening statement: Jeff Sessions makes his case to Senate
On Tuesday morning, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the next U.S. Attorney General. Sessions was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump shortly following the November presidential elections for the cabinet position. The transcript of Sessions’ opening statement is below: Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Feinstein, distinguished members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today. I thank you for the opportunity to respond to your questions as you discharge your duty in the appointment process prescribed by our Constitution. I also want to thank my dear friends, Senator Richard Shelby and Senator Susan Collins for their kind introductions. It is hard to believe, really, that the three of us have served together in this body for nearly 20 years. When I arrived in the Senate in 1997, I probably wouldn’t have anticipated becoming so close with a colleague from Maine—two people from the northern-most and the southern-most parts of the country. It took us a while to understand each other’s accents, but once we did, we became fast friends. Of course, Senator Shelby and I never had that problem. He has been a steadfast friend and I think we’ve been a pretty good team looking out for the best interests of the great people of Alabama. Thank you both. I want to thank President-elect Trump for the confidence and trust that he has shown by nominating me to serve as the Attorney General of the United States. I feel the weight of an honor greater than I have aspired to. If I am confirmed, I commit to you and to the American people to be worthy of that office and the special trust that comes with it. I come before you today as a colleague who has worked with you for years, and with some of you for 20 years. You know who I am. You know what I believe in. You know that I am a man of my word and can be trusted to do what I say I will do. You know that I revere our Constitution and am committed to the rule of law. And you know that I believe in fairness, impartiality, and equal justice under the law. Over the years, you have heard me say many times that I love the Department of Justice. The Office of the Attorney General of the United States is not a political position, and anyone who holds it must have total fidelity to the laws and the Constitution of the United States. He or she must be committed to following the law. He or she must be willing to tell the President “no” if he overreaches. He or she cannot be a mere rubberstamp. He or she also must set the example for the employees in the Department to do the right thing and ensure that, when they do the right thing, they know the Attorney General will back them up, no matter what politician might call, or what powerful special interest, influential contributor, or friend might try to intervene. The message must be clear: Everyone is expected to do their duty. That is the way I was expected to perform as an Assistant United States Attorney. That is the way I trained my assistants when I became United States Attorney. And if confirmed, that is the way I will run the Department of Justice. In my over 14 years in the Department of Justice, I tried cases of nearly every kind—drug trafficking and very large international drug smuggling cases, firearms cases, other violent crimes, a series of major public corruption cases, financial wrongdoing, and environmental violations. Our office supported historic civil rights cases, and major civil cases. Protecting the people of this country from crime, and especially from violent crime, is a high calling of the men and women of the Department of Justice. Today, I am afraid, that has become more important than ever. Since the early 1980s, good policing and prosecutions have been a strong force in reducing crime. Drug use and murders are half what they were in 1980. I am very concerned, however, that the recent jump in the violent crime and murder rates are not anomalies, but the beginning of a dangerous trend that could reverse the hard won gains that have made America a safer and more prosperous place. The latest official FBI statistics show that all crime increased nearly 4 percent from 2014 to 2015—the largest increase since 1991—with murders increasing nearly 11 percent—the largest single year increase since 1971. “In 2016, there were 4,368 shooting victims in Chicago. In Baltimore, homicides reached the second highest per-capita rate ever. “The country is also in the throes of a heroin epidemic, with overdose deaths more than tripling between 2010 and 2014. Meanwhile, illegal drugs flood across our southern border and into every city and town in the country, bringing violence, addiction, and misery. We must not lose perspective when discussing these statistics. We must always remember that these crimes are being committed against real people, real victims. It is important that they are kept in the forefront of our minds in these conversations, and to ensure that their rights are always protected. These trends cannot continue. It is a fundamental civil right to be safe in your home and your community. If I am confirmed, we will systematically prosecute criminals who use guns in committing crimes. As United States Attorney, my office was a national leader in gun prosecutions every year. We will partner with state and local law enforcement to take down drug trafficking cartels and dismantle gangs. We will prosecute those who repeatedly violate our borders. It will be my priority to confront these crises vigorously, effectively, and immediately. Approximately 90 percent of all law enforcement officers are not federal, but local and state. They are the ones on the front lines. They are better educated, trained and equipped than ever before. They are the ones who we rely on to
