Roll Call is reporting that the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on Sen. Jeff Session’s attorney general nomination will last two days in January, with committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) promising a fair hearing. Democrats wanted four days to review Sessions’ record, though there isn’t much they can do to block the nomination. Sessions needs a simple majority to be confirmed, as with the rest of Trump’s cabinet picks (via Roll Call):
With vocal opposition to Sessions’ nomination from progressive advocacy groups, the hearing looks to be contentious. Democrats asked for time to examine Sessions’ record on immigration, violence against women, LGBT protections, racial justice, hate crimes, workers’ rights, voting rights, criminal justice and other issues.Grassley also announced that Sessions has turned in answers to the committee’s questionnaire for presidential nominees, which the chairman said will become available on the panel’s website. It was not immediately available Friday night. The 33-page document was posted Friday night.
The questionnaire includes standard biographical information such as work history and public statements. But it also covers significant legal matters that a candidate has handled as well as sources of income and net worth statements.
Sessions’ hearing will also occur 32 days after he returned the committee’s questionnaire, affording adequate time for Judiciary members to prepare for the hearing, Grassley said in a statement.
It all begins January 10.