U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) speaks while Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) stands by in the United States Senate on June 15, 2021. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
'Black Lives Matter,' Says Merkley, Voting With Markey Against Rahm Emanuel Ambassadorship
The opposition could jeopardize confirmation of the former Chicago mayor—under fire for his racial justice record—to represent the U.S. in Japan.
Brett Wilkins
Progressive U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley on Wednesday came out in opposition to Rahm Emanuel's nomination as United States ambassador to Japan, with Merkely citing the former Chicago mayor's record—which includes trying to cover up the 2014 police murder of Black teen Laquan McDonald—as the reason for his decision.
"Black Lives Matter," Merkley (D-Ore.) explained in a statement. "Here in the halls of Congress, it is important that we not just speak and believe these words, but put them into action in the decisions we make."
"I have carefully considered Mayor Emanuel's record—and the input of civil rights leaders, criminal justice experts, and local elected officials who have reached out to the Senate to weigh in," he added, "and I have reached the decision that I cannot support his nomination to serve as a U.S. ambassador."