​Post submitted by Rob Flaherty, former HRC Rapid Response Press Secretary

Given the Leahy exchange in the Sessions hearing, here’s a quote from David Stacy, Human Rights Campaign Director of Government Affairs:

“Want to predict how vigorously an Attorney General nominee will enforce federal hate crimes law? Look at his voting record on hate crimes legislation. Jeff Sessions didn't only vote against the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes law, he led its opposition. We need an AG who takes these crimes seriously and pursues justice aggressively. We have serious doubts he can do so."

Here’s a sampling of his record.

• 2009: He tried to insert a poison pill amendment to derail the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes law, and later voted against it. 
• 2009: Sessions Said he Would Vote Against Bill That Included Pay Raise For Military Members Because It Included Federal Hate Crimes Laws To Cover Crimes Motivated By A Victim’s Gender Identity Or Sexual Orientation.
• 2007: Sessions Effectively Voted Against Expanding Federal Hate Crimes Laws To Include Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identification.
• 2004: Sessions Warned Adding LGBT To Hate Crimes Was Going One Step Further Than The Original Hate Crime Bill Which Was A Result Of Prosecutors “Ignoring Violent Crimes Against Blacks” And Said “We Ought Not To Do That.”
• 2002: Sessions Effectively Voted Against Expanding Federal Hate Crimes Laws To Include Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identification.
• 2000: Sessions Voted Against Expanding Federal Hate Crimes Laws To Include Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identification.