WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) had a strong message of party unity on this week’s edition of Fox News Sunday, where he stated that party leaders need to listen to the American people.
Donald J. Trump and his surrogates have been none-too-pleased with the hesitant and sometimes inflammatory tone of Republican Party leaders towards their presumptive nominee. After hesitantly endorsing Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) has had a testy relationship with the New York billionaire, openly challenging his policy positions and public actions.
“But let me give advice to my Republican colleagues,” Sessions said. “They need to look at the election returns. They need to understand that the American people are not happy with the gridlock in America.”
Host Chris Wallace prompted Sessions, asking if he meant that everyone in the GOP needs to get on the “Trump Train.” Sessions said that politicians “need to be participating in assisting some of these things. We haven’t been effective in fixing illegal immigration, the trade deal, we’ve got a lot of votes and support in the Congress, on the Democrats and Republicans. So, I think there’s a lot of things we need to learn from the American people.”
The popular Alabama senator also noted that the American people are sick of the “status quo” in D.C. Sessions explained to Wallace why he thinks the party and the country need to unify around the interest of the common people.
They’re not happy their wages have fallen since 2000 instead steadily. They’re not happy that we have a high unemployment. They’re not happy that we have an open border and lawlessness at our border. They believe we should have a lawful system of immigration…
They don’t believe these trade deals have worked with them… So, I think our leaders on both sides need to be considering what the American people are saying in this election and they need to be a part of the unity, too.
Sessions Sunday talk show interview comes on the heels of increased speculation that he could be selected as Trump’s VP. In an informal survey, “GOP members of The POLITICO Caucus – a panel of activists, strategists and operatives in 10 key battleground states,” gave high marks to both former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and current U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).
RELATED: Top Republicans in battleground states want Trump to consider Condi and Sessions for VP
Sessions, who currently heads Trump’s national security advisory committee, fits many of the general qualities that Trump says he is looking for in a running mate. Chiefly, Sessions would be able to use his expertise on the Hill to help a Trump Administration pass legislation through Congress.
But Alabama’s junior senator has been dismissive of the vice presidential speculation in the past.
“I think that would not happen,” Sessions told The Hill. “I have not talked with him about it.”
Trump has yet to announce when to expect his VP pick, and he has at times stated he will wait until the convention on July 18.
Sessions’ entire interview on Fox News Sunday can be viewed below.
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