CNN International | (Video News Report with text Appendix)
In an extremely rare rebuke, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren was cut off while speaking on the Senate floor. She had been reading a 1986 letter by Coretta Scott King critical of Jeff Sessions, now President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for attorney general, who was then a nominee to be a federal judge.
APPENDIX:
Text of Coretta Scott King’s letter to Strom Thurmond:
March 19, 1986
The Honorable Strom Thurmond, Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Re: Nomination of Jefferson B. Sessions
U.S. Judge, southern/District of
Alabama Hearing, March 13, 1986
Dear Senator Thurmond:
I write to express my sincere opposition to the confirmation of Jefferson B. Sessions as a federal district court judge for the Southern District of Alabama. my professional and personal roots in Alabama are deep and lasting. Anyone who has used the power of his office as United States Attorney to intimidate and chill the free exercise of the ballot by citizens should not be elevated to our courts.
Mr. Sessions has used the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters. For this reprehensible conduct, he should not be rewarded
with a federal judgeship.
I regret that a long?standing commitment prevents me from appearing in person to testify against this nominee. However, I have attached a copy of my statement opposing Mr. Sessions’ confirmation and I request that my statement as well as this letter be made a part of the?hearing record.
I do sincerely urge you to oppose the confirmation of Mr. Sessions.
Sincerely,
Coretta Scott King
cc: The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
United States Senate
308 Senate Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
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