Sen. Cory Booker to break precedent by testifying against fellow Sen. Jeff Sessions

WASHINGTON – Sen. Cory Booker will take the apparently unprecedented step of testifying against confirming fellow Sen. Jeff Sessions to be attorney general, a move that could firm up Booker’s progressive bona fides ahead of a possible 2020 presidential bid.

“I do not take lightly the decision to testify against a Senate colleague,” Booker said in a statement. “But the immense powers of the attorney general combined with the deeply troubling views of this nominee is a call to conscience.

“Senator Sessions’ decades-long record is concerning in a number of ways, from his opposition to bipartisan criminal justice reform to his views on bipartisan drug policy reform, from his efforts earlier in his career to deny citizens voting rights to his criticism of the Voting Rights Act, from his failure to defend the civil rights of women, minorities, and LGBT Americans to his opposition to common sense, bipartisan immigration reform,” Booker said.

Booker’s office told Roll Call the Senate Historical Office could find no precedent for a senator testifying against a sitting colleague at a confirmation hearing.

Booker’s testimony is scheduled for Wednesday at the Judiciary Committee, where he will join witnesses including the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. Cedric Richmond and civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis.

“The attorney general is responsible for ensuring the fair administration of justice, and based on his record, I lack confidence that Senator Sessions can honor this duty,” said Booker, a New Jersey Democrat.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other Democrats have raised concerns about Sessions’ record on civil rights. In 1986, Sessions failed to be confirmed for a federal judgeship due to concerns about racist comments.

But GOP lawmakers have defended Sessions, saying he is not prejudiced. GOP Sens. Richard Shelby of Alabama and Susan Collins of Maine will be introducing Sessions earlier on Tuesday morning.

Booker has been an outspoken advocate for a criminal justice overhaul, citing poverty and a lack of educational opportunities as issues contributing to the cost of maintaining the population of incarcerated people in the United States.

Some players in African-American communities and the Democratic Party have nonetheless been reluctant to embrace Booker, who seemingly has the capacity to operate without their blessing. Liberal groups in particular have been wary of Booker’s dealings with corporate America.

Booker is frequently mentioned as a possible 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. He served as a media proxy for Barack Obama in the 2012 election.