The Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions on Tuesday, and some senators from New England had a chance to grill their Republican colleague from Alabama.

Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy asked Sessions why he voted against a renewal of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013.

“I did indeed support the bill in 2000 and in…” Sessions replied before Leahy interrupted.

“I’m talking about the bill that is the law today,” Leahy said.

Sessions said he voted against the bill because it gave more power to tribal courts on Native American reservations.

Later, the tone was more cordial when Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal got his chance. He called Sessions a friend, but said he still has a job to do.

“I know if you were sitting here, you’d be pretty tough on me,” Blumenthal said. “Maybe tougher than I’m going to be on you.”

Sessions chuckled.

Blumenthal pressed Sessions to appoint a special counsel to investigate possible conflicts of interest within the Trump administration.