Sen. Jeff Sessions has compiled a fine record in Washington as a crusader for fiscal responsibility, energy independence and respect for the limits of judicial power. The Press-Register editorial board believes Alabama voters should elect him to a third term in the U.S. Senate.

In addition to the presidential contest, two federal races are on the ballot in the Nov. 4 election. Two Mobilians — Sen. Sessions and state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures — are vying for the U.S. Senate seat, and popular First District Congressman Jo Bonner is running unopposed.

Sen. Figures is a respected and able state lawmaker, but Sen. Sessions is well-attuned to the views of Alabamians, and he is an effective advocate of conservative ideas. He has represented the state well on a variety of state and national issues.

Sen. Sessions' trademark issue is fiscal responsibility. Many Republicans talk a good game on controlling spending, but Sen. Sessions backs up his talk with action aimed at reducing the vast wasteland of federal dollars.

In 2006, Sen. Sessions and two of his Republican colleagues blocked a huge spending bill larded with more than 10,000 pork barrel projects. The fiscal mavericks saved the taxpayers $16 billion.

Sen. Sessions demonstrated his independence and wisdom by opposing the $700 billion federal bailout of the financial sys tem. He broke ranks with President Bush and other key Republicans on the bailout issue.

It should be noted, too, that the senator didn't hesitate to oppose President Bush on immigration reform. He played a key role in defeating the flawed proposal.