ACLU Legal Director to Testify at Sessions’ Confirmation Hearing

January 7, 2017 11:00 am

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WASHINGTON — The American Civil Liberties Union announced today that its new national legal director, David Cole, will testify at Sen. Jeff Sessions’ confirmation hearing for attorney general on January 11.

The ACLU is nonpartisan, and as a matter of longstanding policy does not support or oppose nominees for federal office. As a result, the ACLU rarely testifies in confirmation hearings. However, the organization is taking the extraordinary step of testifying in this hearing because Sen. Sessions’ record raises significant, serious questions about his hostility to civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU believes he must satisfactorily answer questions on these issues before a confirmation vote proceeds.

After his testimony, Cole will be available for media interviews in the Capitol Building and then at the United Methodist Building (100 Maryland Ave NE). For security purposes, please RSVP to: media@aclu.org.

ACLU’s analysis of Sessions’ civil liberties record prepared for the confirmation process is available here:
https://www.aclu.org/feature/confirmation-sessions

Cole’s remarks will be available before his testimony at:
https://www.aclu.org/feature/david-cole-senator-jeff-sessions-testimony

More information on Cole is available here:
https://www.aclu.org/news/aclu-taps-constitutional-expert-david-cole-national-legal-director

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