In 1992 he managed the successful reelection campaign of Senator Patrick Leahy, who defeated Jim Douglas.

Sessions was nominated by President Bill Clinton on June 30, 1995, to a seat vacated by Judge Fred I. Parker.

Sessions' ruling opens the doors for New York and Vermont to proceed with enacting the California Clean Car (Pavley) Standards, pending United States Environmental Protection Agency approval.

These standards, adopted by California and at least 11 other states, aim to reduce emissions from cars by 30 percent when fully implemented in 2016.

[5] On April 20, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Sessions to be Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission.