The Senate on Oct. 21 confirmed Chief United States District Judge William Sessions as chair of the United States Sentencing Commission. Judge Sessions was nominated for this post by President Barack Obama on April 20.

Judge Sessions has served as a vice chair of the United States Sentencing Commission since November 1999, when he was appointed to that post by President Clinton. President Bush re-appointed him for a second term in December 2003. He has served as a chief district court judge for the District of Vermont since July 2002, having served as a district court judge since 1995 when he was appointed to the federal bench by President Clinton. In addition, Judge Sessions currently serves as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States, as well as on the Second Circuit Judicial Council.