In a 52-47 vote late Wednesday, largely along party lines, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions as the nation’s next attorney general. Despite strong opposition from lawmakers, citizens and civil rights groups across the spectrum from the NAACP to the HRC and ACLU Sessions will lead the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I want to thank those who, after it all, found sufficient confidence to confirm me as the next attorney general,” Sessions said on the floor of the chamber after the vote, which is an uncommon action for a senator recently confirmed to a Cabinet position.
He also asked members of Congress to have some “latitude” in their dealings with members of other parties.
