WASHINGTON A fellow senator asked the next attorney general of the United States on Tuesday whether the actions described by President-elect Donald Trump grabbing a woman by the p***y would constitute sexual assault.

Is grabbing a woman by her genitals, is that sexual assault? Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-V.T.) asked Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) during Sessions Senate confirmation hearing.

Clearly it would be, Sessions said.

In leaked audio from 2005, Trump boasted about his ability to grab women whenever he wanted because of his power and celebrity. Asked about Trumps comments after a presidential debate in October in St. Louis, Sessions reportedly said that he wasnt sure if the actions would constitute sexual assault.

Heres the interaction, as described by the conservative Weekly Standard :

TWS: But beyond the language, would you characterize the behavior described in that [video] as sexual assault if that behavior actually took place?

SESSIONS: I dont characterize that as sexual assault. I think thats a stretch. I dont know what he meant

TWS: So if you grab a woman by the genitals, thats not sexual assault?

SESSIONS: I dont know. Its not clear that hehow that would occur.

Sessions office said at the time that the Weekly Standard unfairly characterized his comments. Many rape and sexual assault survivors arent convinced, and protested outside Sessions office this week.