Jeff Sessions
Alabama senator
Age
69
Who is he?
Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III was born on Christmas Eve 1946 in Selma, Ala. His father owned a general store.
After graduating high school in nearby Camden, Ala., he earned a bachelor’s degree at Huntingdon College, then a law degree from the University of Alabama.
He started his law career in private practice in Russellville, Ala., eventually moving to Mobile, Ala. He became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama in 1975. In 1981, he became the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.
In 1994, Sessions was elected Alabama’s attorney general. Two years later, he ran for the U.S. Senate and won the seat. He has been in the Senate ever since.
Sessions is a member of the Armed Services Committee (he is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves), the Budget Committee, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Judiciary Committee.
He is an ardent hardliner on immigration, fighting the bill that sought to create a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants now in the country illegally. He also supports additional fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, and has criticized the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement supported by many GOP leaders, calling it "Obamatrade."
Sessions sponsored a bill in 2013 that authorized funding to help victims of child abuse. He said, "there is not higher duty than protecting our nation's children, and this bill is an important step to ensure the most vulnerable children receive the care and support they deserve.”
What they are saying about Sessions
He was Trump before Trump was cool
“As his rivals for vice president twist themselves to fit Donald Trump’s ideological profile, Jeff Sessions has stood pat: The Alabama senator was a leader of the Trump brigade before the business mogul even announced his presidential run. Three years ago, Sessions was commanding Republican opposition to immigration reform, accusing Democratic leaders of running a “Russian duma” that blocked out conservatives and hammering efforts at “amnesty.” Last year, Sessions led the charge to tank so-called Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership — trade proposals that have animated Trump’s appeal in old industrial towns across America but were a GOP priority until just a few months ago.”
Sessions has lent valuable support to Trump
“He was the first U.S. senator to endorse Donald Trump. And like Trump, Sen. Jeff Sessions has for years espoused views on immigration and trade out of step with prevailing Republican powerbrokers.
"You have asked for 30 years, and politicians have promised for 30 years, to fix illegal immigration. Have they done it?" Sessions asked at a February campaign rally in his home state. To a thunderous "No!" from the crowd, he promised: "Donald Trump will do it." The alliance between the four-term senator, a measured Southerner known for his down-to-earth demeanor, and the freewheeling, over-the-top Trump at first seemed unexpected, at least in terms of style. But Sessions, now sometimes mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick, has provided valuable policy support and advice to Trump's campaign.”
About the Author