Alabama state Attorney General Luther Strange was sworn in Thursday as a U.S. senator to replace Jeff Sessions, who was confirmed Wednesday night to be President Trump’s attorney general.
Strange, a former college basketball player who towers over the chamber’s other 99 lawmakers, took the oath administered by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Senate president pro tempore. Strange takes his place as one of 52 GOP senators who hold a majority over the body’s 48 Democrats.
A staunch conservative, Strange is expected to vote in line with GOP leaders and to help ensure the confirmation of President Trump’s Cabinet, which requires only 51 votes. Sessions accompanied Strange on the Senate floor.
