UPDATE 11:11 a.m. Feb. 9:
Jeff Sessions was sworn in as Attorney General Thursday morning after days of controversy and heated Senate hearings.
Sessions defended President Trump's travel ban in his swearing-in speech, calling it necessary for national security.
WATCH | Here's a clip from his swearing-in speech.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Senate has confirmed Sen. Jeff Sessions as the next US attorney general in a 52-47 vote despite backlash from the Democratic party over his record on civil rights and other issues, according to Politico.
#Breaking: Sen. Jeff Sessions confirmed as Attorney General https://t.co/Ou4WmDCDfm pic.twitter.com/9PquYtc0lT
— POLITICO (@politico) February 9, 2017
The pathway to his confirmation has been anything but controversial. Recently, a firestorm erupted after Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, barred Sen. Elizabeth Warren from speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday. His confirmation was also delayed after it became apparent that his vote was needed to help confirm Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
WATCH | For more news you need, check out Circa 60.