Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., will oppose the confirmation of Sen. Jeff Sessions, Donald Trump’s pick as attorney general, The New York Times reports.
Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, says in a statement that he is not confident the Alabama Republican would "serve as an independent check on the incoming administration," the Times reports.
A formal announcement of his opposition is expected Thursday.
Schumer questioned Sessions' commitment to certain segments of the nation's population.
"The attorney general of the United States has a sacred obligation to enforce our laws and uphold the constitution," Schumer 's statement said. "The law gives a voice to the voiceless, it protects the oppressed from the powerful, and it defends the rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexuality, or religion.
"The attorney general must wake up every single day ensuring the rights of all Americans: immigrants, minorities, young and old, gay and straight, disabled and not are protected."
Schumer' opposition is not expected to affect the vote to confirm Sessions because no one in the Republican majority has come out against him and some conservative Democrats could end up supporting him.
NBC News reports that prominent Democrats within the Congressional Black Caucus also strongly oppose his confirmation. Some caucus members have testified against him.
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