Call to postpone any vote on Jeff Sessions for Attorney General
The Call
Urge the Senate to postpone any vote on Jeff Sessions for Attorney General until he can be questioned about Trump Administration’s Muslim Exclusion order and reorganization of the National Security Council (NSC) to include Steve Bannon. Over the weekend, the administration took two unprecedented and potentially unlawful acts. First, the President signed an Executive Order barring Muslims from 7 different countries from entering the United States. Second, and equally frightening, the White House unilaterally (and potentially unlawfully) reorganized the NSC. This reorganization promotes White House adviser and white nationalist Steve Bannon to a permanent seat while demoting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence to “optional” participants. These developments have been criticized by members of both parties. Senator John McCain notably cited the White House’s reorganization of the NSC as “radical.” Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said it was a “big mistake” to exclude the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence from National Security Council meetings.
“My biggest concern is there are actually, under the law, only two statutory advisers to the National Security Council and that’s the Director of Central Intelligence, or the DNI, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I think pushing them out of the National Security Council meetings, except when their specific issues are at stake, is a big mistake,” he said. “I think that they both bring a perspective and judgment and experience to bear that every president, whether they like it or not, finds useful.” Said Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
As Attorney General, Sessions would play a key role in how our country implements these executive orders and would also occupy a seat on the NSC. He also reportedly had a significant role in drafting the Muslim exclusion. It would be an abdication of Congress’ responsibility to provide adequate oversight to executive branch appointments if it does not question Sessions about both his role in crafting and implementing these orders as well as the Administration’s radical departure from the practice of excluding political advisers from NSC seats.
Your Action
Senate 866-985-2543 House 866-948-8977
Call your 2 Senators and urge them to do everything in their power to hold up Jeff Sessions’ confirmation until he is made to answer questions about his role in crafting the Muslim Exclusion, as well as his plans for implementation of these clear abuses of executive power and the radical departure from the practice of excluding political advisers from NSC seats.
Script
“Hi. My name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent in [STATE]. I’m calling to ask [Senator ____] to publicly advocate for a postponement of any vote on Jeff Sessions’ nomination for Attorney General until he can be questioned about the legality and execution of the Muslim Exclusion Executive Order and the reorganization of the NSC to include Steve Bannon. These alarming events occurred after the Judiciary Committee held its hearing on Sessions. The matters raise grave Constitutional, legal and policy concerns and the Committee deserves answers before it votes. I believe that the fundamental underpinnings of our Democracy are at risk and the very least the Senate can do is thoroughly vet this President’s pick for the top legal job. Please tell [Senator______] that he/she should publicly call for additional Committee hearings to get Sessions’ answers about these crucial issues before a vote occurs. Given the importance of this issue to me and the stakes involved, I’d also like the Senator to know that this is a litmus test for my future support. I greatly appreciate your time.”
