Sen. Jeff Sessions announced Wednesday he will not vote to confirm President Obama’s nominee to succeed Attorney General Eric Holder.
The Alabama Republican said he will oppose Loretta Lynch over her statement during Wednesday’s confirmation hearing in support of Obama’s Nov. 20 executive action, which allows more than 5 million illegal immigrants to obtain work permits and federal benefits.
“Unfortunately, when asked today whether she found the president’s actions to be ‘legal and constitutional,’ Ms. Lynch said that she did,” Sessions said. “I therefore am unable to support her nomination.”
Lynch told the Senate Judiciary Committee she viewed the immigration directive as “reasonable,” and said that those who are here illegally should work.
“I believe that the right and the obligation to work is one that’s shared by everyone in this country regardless of how they came here,” Lynch told Sessions at the hearing. “And certainly, if someone is here, regardless of status, I would prefer that they be participating in the workplace than not participating in the workplace.”
A handful of other Republicans could join Sessions in opposition to Lynch over her support of Obama’s executive action. Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Mike Lee of Utah, and David Vitter of Louisiana, who are staunch opponents to Obama’s executive actions, grilled Lynch about immigration during the hearing.
