NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Jeff Sessions

Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Sessions III (born December 24, 1946) is the junior United States Senator from Alabama. He is a member of the Republican Party. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2700x3600, 1281 KB) http://sessions. ... Type Upper House President of the Senate Richard B. Cheney, R since January 20, 2001 President pro tempore Robert C. Byrd, D since January 4, 2007 Members 100 Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party Last elections November 7, 2006 Meeting place Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, DC United States... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Open seat redirects here. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Richard Craig Dick Shelby (born May 6, 1934) is an American politician. ... Howell Thomas Heflin (born June 19, 1921) was a United States Senator from Alabama. ... // The Attorney General of Alabama is an elected, constitutional officer of the State of Alabama. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Jimmy Evans is a pastor, Bible teacher, best-selling author. ... William H. Pryor, Jr. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Selma is a city in Alabama located on the banks of the Alabama River in Dallas County, Alabama, of which it is the county seat. ... GOP redirects here. ... Alma mater is Latin for nourishing mother. It was used in ancient Rome as a title for the mother goddess, and in Medieval Christianity for the Virgin Mary. ... Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, is a coeducational liberal arts college in Montgomery, Alabama. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Type Upper House President of the Senate Richard B. Cheney, R since January 20, 2001 President pro tempore Robert C. Byrd, D since January 4, 2007 Members 100 Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party Last elections November 7, 2006 Meeting place Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, DC United States... This article is about the U.S. State. ... GOP redirects here. ...

Early life

Sessions was born in Selma, Alabama to Abbie Powe and Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, Jr.^[1] His father owned a general store and then a farm equipment dealership. Sessions grew up in the small town of Hybart. In 1964 he became an Eagle Scout. In his adult life, he became a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Selma is a city in Alabama located on the banks of the Alabama River in Dallas County, Alabama, of which it is the county seat. ... An Eagle Scout is a Scout with the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, is a special award, awarded only to Eagle Scouts, for distinguished service in his profession or to the community for a period of at least 25 years after earning his Eagle Scout rank. ... Scouting in Alabama has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. ...

After attending school in nearby Camden, Sessions studied at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. He was active in the Young Republicans and student body president there.^[2] Sessions received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama in 1973. Camden is a town located in Wilcox County, Alabama. ... Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, is a coeducational liberal arts college in Montgomery, Alabama. ... Coordinates: , Country State County Montgomery Incorporated December 3, 1819 Government - Mayor Bobby Bright Area - City 156. ... A B.A. issued from the University of Tennessee. ... The Young Republicans is an organization for members of the Republican Party of the United States between the ages of 18 and 40. ... J.D. redirects here. ... The University of Alabama (also known as Alabama, UA or colloquially as Bama) is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1831, UA is the flagship school of the University of Alabama System. ...

Sessions became a practicing attorney first in Russellville and then in Mobile, where he now lives. He was also an army reservist in the 1970s, achieving the rank of captain. Russellville, Alabama, is a city in Franklin County in the U.S. state of Alabama. ... It has been suggested that List of people from Mobile, Alabama be merged into this article or section. ... The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. ... A Captain in armies, air forces and marine forces, is a rank an army or air force rank with a NATO rank code of OF-2. ...

Sessions and his wife Mary have three children: Mary Abigail, Ruth Walk, and Sam.

Political career

Following a two-year stint as Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama (1975–1977), Sessions was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the United States Attorney for Alabama's Southern District, a position he held for 12 years. In 1986, Sessions was nominated for a federal judgeship by Reagan. The nomination was killed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which refused by a 10-8 vote^[3] to let the nomination come to the Senate floor for a vote. Sessions' opponents accused him of "gross insensitivity” on racial issues.^[2] One of those voting against him was Democratic Senator Howell Heflin of Alabama. United States Attorneys (also known as federal prosecutors) represent the U.S. federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. ... Reagan redirects here. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... Howell Heflin Howell Thomas Heflin (June 19, 1921 â€“ March 29, 2005) was a United States Senator from Alabama. ...

Sessions was elected Alabama Attorney General in November 1994. In 1996, Sessions won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, after a runoff, and then defeated Democrat Roger Bedford, 52%-46% in the November general election.^[2] He succeeded Heflin, who had retired after 18 years in the Senate. In 2002, Sessions won re-election by defeating Democratic challenger and State Auditor Susan Parker. In August 2007, State Senator Vivian Davis Figures announced she will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Sessions in 2008. Republican hold in light red, Republican pickup in dark red, Democratic hold in light blue, Democratic pickup in dark blue. ...

Sessions was only the second freshman Republican Senator from Alabama since the Reconstruction, and gave Alabama two Republican senators, also a first since the Reconstruction. Sessions was easily reelected in 2002 becoming the first (or second, if one counts his colleague Richard Shelby, who switched from Democrat to Republican in 1994) Republican reelected to the Senate from Alabama. For other uses, see Reconstruction (disambiguation). ... Republican hold in light red, Republican pickup in dark red, Democratic hold in light blue, Democratic pickup in dark blue. ... Richard Craig Dick Shelby (born May 6, 1934) is an American politician. ...

Political positions

Sessions was ranked by National Journal as the fifth-most conservative United States Senator in their March, 2007 conservative/liberal rankings[1]. He backs conservative Republican stances on foreign affairs, taxes, and social policy. He opposes abortion and illegal immigration. Sessions serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and is its only member to have unsuccessfully faced the Committee before becoming a senator. Sessions was a supporter of the "nuclear option," a tactic favored by then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist in the spring of 2005 to stop filibusters of judicial nominees. When 14 Senators led by Republican John McCain of Arizona and Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska struck a deal to avert the option, Sessions was one of the agreement's most severe critics. National Journal is a weekly magazine that provides Insight for Insiders through nonpartisan reporting on the current political environment as well as emerging political and policy trends. ... President of the United States, George W. Bush (right) at Camp David in March 2003, hosting the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. ... â€œTaxesâ€ redirects here. ... The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary (informally Senate Judiciary Committee) is a standing committee of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. ... The nuclear option, also called the Constitutional option, is a parliamentary ruling by the presiding officer of the United States Senate to end debate and hold an immediate vote on a matter under consideration. ... A Senate Majority Leader is a politician within a Senate who leads the majority party, or majority coalition, of sitting senators. ... William Harrison Bill Frist, Sr. ... As a form of obstructionism in a legislature or other decision making body, a filibuster is an attempt to extend debate upon a proposal in order to delay or completely prevent a vote on its passage. ... McCain redirects here. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... For other uses, see Ben Nelson (businessman). ... Official language(s) English Capital Lincoln Largest city Omaha Largest metro area Omaha Area Ranked 16th - Total 77,421 sq mi (200,520 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (340 km) - Length 430 miles (690 km) - % water 0. ...

An December 2007 poll shows Sessions has a 56% approval rating, with 34% disapproving.Survey USA

On October 5, 2005, he voted against a bill restricting treatment of terrorist suspects [2]. For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

Sessions has taken a strong stand against any form of citizenship for illegal immigrants. Sessions was one of the most vocal critics of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, leading the charge to its being tabled (killed) on June 28, 2007. Illegal immigration is the act of moving to or settling in another country or region, temporarily or permanently, in violation of the law or without documents permitting an immigrant to settle in that country. ... The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, or, in its full name, the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (S. 1348) was a bill discussed in the 110th United States Congress that would have provided legal status and a path to legal citizenship for the approximately... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Sessions was one of 37 Senators to vote against funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

Brief exchange with Chuck Grassley

On June 26, 2007, Sessions got into a brief exchange with Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa. Sessions stated that he did not support Grassley's amendment, but would yield time to Grassely, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid did not allow it, prompting Grassley to responded, "I don't care if I speak, I can speak sometime else, but I would like to have time for debate on my amendment, and can I talk about why I should bring my amendment up."[3] Charles Ernest Chuck Grassley (born September 17, 1933) is the senior United States Senator from Iowa. ... GOP redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... A Senate Majority Leader is a politician within a Senate who leads the majority party, or majority coalition, of sitting senators. ... Harry Mason Reid (born December 2, 1939) is the senior United States Senator from Nevada and a member of the Democratic Party. ...

Controversies

Sessions had unsuccessfully prosecuted three civil rights workers (including Albert Turner, a former aide to Martin Luther King, Jr), on a case of election fraud for the 1984 election. Sessions spent hours interrogating black voters in predominantly black counties, finding only 14 allegedly tampered ballots out of the more than 1.7 million ballots cast. The three civil rights workers were acquitted after four hours of jury deliberation.^[3] Civil rights or positive rights are those legal rights retained by citizens and protected by the government. ... Martin Luther King Jr. ... Electoral fraud is the deliberate interference with the process of an election. ...

During his nomination to federal court, it was revealed that Sessions had once labeled the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) "un-American," "Communist-inspired," and had said that they "forced civil rights down the throats of people." At his confirmation hearings, Sessions said that the groups could be un-American when "they involve themselves in un-American positions" in foreign policy.^[3] Sessions also stated about the Ku Klux Klan, "I used to think they're OK," until he learned that some Klan members were "pot smokers". Sessions claims he was joking or misunderstood.^[4] The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, generally pronounced as EN Double AY SEE PEE) is one of the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States. ... The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is an American organization consisting of two separate entities. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ... Members of the second Ku Klux Klan at a rally during the 1920s. ...

On September 9, 2005, after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Sessions called his former law professor, Harold Apolinsky, co-author of Sessions' legislation repealing the federal estate tax, which had lost momentum in Congress, and left a voicemail: "[Arizona Sen.] Jon Kyl and I were talking about the estate tax. If we knew anybody that owned a business that lost life in the storm, that would be something we could push back with."^[5] This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 2005. ... The Gulf of Mexico is a major body of water bordered and nearly landlocked by North America. ... Estate tax is a form of tax imposed in the United States upon the transfer of the property of the estate of a deceased person that is left to a living person or organization. ... This page is about the current Arizona Senator; for his father, a U.S. Representative from Iowa, see John Kyl; for a U.S. Representative from Mississippi with a similar name, see John Kyle. ...

Sessions was one of only nine opponents of Senator John McCain's anti-torture amendment. Sessions supports Vice President Dick Cheney's proposal to exempt the CIA from any ban on torture. McCain redirects here. ... For other uses, see Torture (disambiguation). ... Richard Bruce Dick Cheney (born January 30, 1941), is the 46th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President George W. Bush. ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ...

Sessions has been opposed to parts of the Voting Rights Act, which he described as a "piece of intrusive legislation".^[3] In 2006 he was in favor of letting it expire, and also said that Congress should consider if it was needed in some northern cities and states.^[6] He later voted in favor of extending it.^[7]^[8] The National Voting Rights Act of 1965 ()[1] outlawed the requirement that would-be voters in the United States take literacy tests to qualify to register to vote, and it provided for federal registration of voters in areas that had less than 50% of eligible minority voters registered. ...

Sessions has advocated the extension of FISA legislation to legalize the Bush Administration's wiretapping techniques. He compared worries about government overreach to "two dramatic errors some years ago in a situation just like this, on emotion driven by our civil libertarian friends," specifically the lack of sharing of information between the FBI and the CIA as well as prohibitions on obtaining intelligence from "dangerous" sources. Sessions was indirectly criticized for this phrasing by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who replied "[Senator Sessions said] 'The civil libertarians among us'—and then he listed all the bad things he thinks the civil libertarians among us have done. I hope every one of us—every one of us in this Chamber—supports the civil liberties of the United States of America because if you don't, you don't believe in the Constitution."^[9] FISA may be: Federation Internationale des Societes Aerophilateliques (International Federation of Aerophilatelic Societies) FÃ©dÃ©ration Internationale des SociÃ©tÃ©s dAviron (International Federation of Rowing Associations) FÃ©dÃ©ration Internationale du Sport Automobile (Historically a subsidiary body of the FIA) Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a statute in the... Teh NSA warrantless surveillance controversy concerns surveillance of persons within the United States incident to the collection of foreign intelligence by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) as part of the war on terror. ... Barbara Levy Boxer (born November 11, 1940) is an American politician and the current junior U.S. Senator from the State of California. ...

Electoral history

Alabama was admitted to the Union on December 14 1819. ... Republican hold in light red, Republican pickup in dark red, Democratic hold in light blue, Democratic pickup in dark blue. ... The Libertarian Party is an American political party founded on December 11, 1971. ... The Natural Law Party was a United States political party affiliated with the international Natural Law Party. ... Republican hold in light red, Republican pickup in dark red, Democratic hold in light blue, Democratic pickup in dark blue. ... Susan D. Parker is an American Democratic politician from Alabama. ... The Libertarian Party is an American political party founded on December 11, 1971. ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box: A write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the persons name. ...

Notes and references

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

GOP redirects here. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas Politics Portal Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic... Alabama was admitted to the Union on December 14 1819. ... The three classes of US Senators, each currently including 33 or 34 Senators (since Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, and until another state is admitted), are a means used by the United States Senate for describing the schedules of Senate seats elections, and of the expiration of the... William Rufus DeVane King William Rufus DeVane King (April 7, 1786â€“April 18, 1853) was a U.S. Representative from North Carolina, a Senator from Alabama, and the thirteenth Vice President of the United States. ... Dixon Hall Lewis (August 10, 1802–October 25, 1848) was an American politician who served as a Representative and a Senator from Alabama. ... Benjamin Fitzpatrick (June 30, 1802 - November 21, 1869) was an American politician, who served as Governor of Alabama and as United States Senator from Alabama as a Democrat. ... Jeremiah Clemens (December 28, 1814 â€“ May 21, 1865) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... Clement Claiborne Clay (December 13, 1816 â€“ January 3, 1882) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama from 1853 to 1861, and a C.S.A. senator from the Alabama from 1861 to 1863. ... Willard Warner (September 4, 1826–November 23, 1906) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... George Goldthwaite (December 10, 1809â€“March 16, 1879) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... John Tyler Morgan John Tyler Morgan (June 20, 1824â€“June 11, 1907) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... John Hollis Bankhead (September 13, 1842–March 1, 1920) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... Braxton Bragg Comer (November 7, 1848–August 15, 1927) was an American Democratic politician who was the Governor of Alabama from 1907 to 1911. ... James Thomas Heflin, (April 9, 1869–April 22, 1951), nicknamed Cotton Tom, was a colorful United States Senator from Alabama. ... John Hollis Bankhead, II (July 8, 1872 - June 12, 1946) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... George Robinson Swift (December 19, 1887–September 10, 1972) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... credited to the United States Senate Historical Office John Jackson Sparkman (December 20, 1899 â€“ November 16, 1985) was a United States politician from Alabama. ... Howell Heflin Howell Thomas Heflin (June 19, 1921 â€“ March 29, 2005) was a United States Senator from Alabama. ... The three classes of US Senators, each currently including 33 or 34 Senators (since Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, and until another state is admitted), are a means used by the United States Senate for describing the schedules of Senate seats elections, and of the expiration of the... John Williams Walker (August 12, 1783 – April 23, 1823) was an American politician, who served as the Democratic-Republican U.S. senator from the state of Alabama from 1819 until his resignation on December 12, 1822. ... William Kelly (September 22, 1786 – August 24, 1834) was an American politician, who served as the Democratic-Republican U.S. senator from the state of Alabama from December 12, 1822 to 1825. ... Henry H. Chambers (October 1, 1790 – January 24, 1826) was an American politician, who served as the Democratic-Republican U.S. senator from the state of Alabama from March 4, 1825 until his death. ... Israel Pickens (January 30, 1780 – April 24, 1827) was an American politician, serving two terms as Governor of the state of Alabama from 1821 to 1825. ... John McKinley (May 1, 1780-July 19, 1852) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama and an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. ... Gabriel Moore {c. ... John McKinley (May 1, 1780-July 19, 1852) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama and an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. ... Clement Comer Clay (December 17, 1789â€“September 7, 1866) was the Democratic Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1835 to 1837. ... Arthur Pendleton Bagby (1794–September 21, 1858) was the Democratic Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1837 to 1841. ... William Rufus DeVane King William Rufus DeVane King (April 7, 1786â€“April 18, 1853) was a U.S. Representative from North Carolina, a Senator from Alabama, and the thirteenth Vice President of the United States. ... Benjamin Fitzpatrick (June 30, 1802 - November 21, 1869) was an American politician, who served as Governor of Alabama and as United States Senator from Alabama as a Democrat. ... George Eliphaz Spencer (November 1, 1836–February 19, 1893) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... George Smith Houston (January 17, 1811–December 31, 1879) was an American Democratic politician who was the Governor of Alabama from 1874 to 1878. ... Luke Pryor (July 5, 1820–August 5, 1900) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... James Lawrence Pugh (December 12, 1820–March 9, 1907) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... Edmund Winston Pettus (July 6, 1821–July 27, 1907), for whom the civil rights landmark Edmund Pettus Bridge was named, was born in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Joseph Forney Johnston (March 23, 1843–August 8, 1913) was an American Democratic politician who was the Governor of Alabama from 1896 to 1900. ... Francis Shelley White (March 13, 1847–August 1, 1922) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... Oscar Wilder Underwood (May 6, 1862â€“January 25, 1929) was an American politician. ... Hugo Black Hugo LaFayette Black (February 27, 1886 â€“ September 25, 1971) was a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1937 - 1971). ... Dixie Bibb Graves (July 26, 1882–January 21, 1965) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... Joseph Lister Hill (December 29, 1894â€“December 21, 1984) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... James Browning Allen (December 28, 1912–June 1, 1978) was a Senator from Alabama. ... credited to the United States Senate Historical Office Maryon Pittman Allen (born November 30, 1925) was a United States Senator from Alabama. ... Donald Wilbur Stewart (born February 8, 1940) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. ... Jeremiah Andrew Denton Jr. ... Richard Craig Dick Shelby (born May 6, 1934) is an American politician. ... The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Selma is a city in Alabama located on the banks of the Alabama River in Dallas County, Alabama, of which it is the county seat. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

Contents

Early life GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");