Hispanics

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court:

“President Obama made an impressive choice by nominating Judge Sotomayor for the position of Associate Justice for the Supreme Court.

"Judge Sotomayor’s career represents the best of the American dream and she possesses distinguished and superior legal credentials.

"I look forward to the upcoming hearings and I hope that there is a bi-partisan effort to ensure a fair confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Joe Lieberman

May 26, 2009 -- "While I was visiting with our troops in Afghanistan today, President Obama called to inform me that he will nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor has a long and distinguished career on the federal bench.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today issued the following statement after President Barack Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court.

“This is a historic day for the Supreme Court – and the entire nation.

"Judge Sotomayor has distinguished herself on the Court of Appeals with her knowledge, expertise and judgment.

"I look forward to reviewing her qualifications more closely as the Senate proceeds with the confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Frank R. Lautenberg

5/26/09 -- U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, second in seniority among Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement about President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

The Judiciary Committee is responsible for conducting nomination hearings for the Supreme Court.

“I’m pleased to learn of President Obama’s historic nomination of the first Latina to the Supreme Court.By all accounts, Judge Sotomayor is accomplished, exceptionally bright and well-respected by her peers.

"It would be tough to classify her as a liberal or a conservative, and my hope is that she is a candidate I can support. I look forward to learning more about her experience and views during her confirmation hearings later this summer.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Senator John Kerry today released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.

“President Obama has made a history-making selection that meets his own criteria of an excellent mind coupled with real world empathy but also passes Justice Potter Stewart’s famous test of someone who is neither liberal nor conservative but simply a great judge.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy today released the following statement on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:

“I strongly support President Obama's historic nomination.

"Judge Sotomayor's remarkable life story is an inspiring example of the American dream, and she has a highly distinguished legal background.

"She'll bring intelligence, insight, and experience to the vital work of protecting the fundamental rights and liberties of all Americans.

"She is eminently qualified for the Supreme Court, and I look forward to her prompt confirmation by the Senate.”

Source: Senator Edward M. Kennedy

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) released the following statement in regards to the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"Judge Sotomayor has a distinguished record. She has twice received the strong, bipartisan support of the Senate: first when she was appointed to the District Court by President George H. W. Bush and later when nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1998.

She has already proven to be an intelligent, tough and mainstream jurist.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Senator Mike Johanns issued the following statement today after learning President Barack Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to serve as the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice:

"The confirmation of a U.S. Supreme Court Justice is one of the most important votes a U.S. Senator makes," said Johanns.

"It is critical that any nominee to the Supreme Court have a strong record of objectively interpreting the law and applying the Constitution, not advancing an activist agenda.

"Therefore, I will be thoroughly reviewing Judge Sotomayor's record and will follow the upcoming committee hearings for a detailed look at her record and opinions before making a final decision."

Source: Senator Mike Johanns

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement regarding President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Inhofe was one of 29 U.S. Senators that voted against Sotomayor's nomination to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in 1998.

"Without doubt, Judge Sotomayor's personal life story is truly inspiring. I congratulate her on being nominated. As the U.S. Senate begins the confirmation process, I look forward to looking closer at her recent rulings and her judicial philosophy.    » read more »

Hutchison: “Our chief concern must be her commitment to the rule of law”

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - On the nomination of federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) today released the following statement:

“Confirming Supreme Court nominees is one of the Senate’s most important responsibilities.

"As the Senate carefully reviews the qualifications of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, our chief concern must be her commitment to the rule of law.

"I look forward to a fair and open confirmation process as we work to ensure our next Supreme Court Justice will defend and protect the Constitution through impartial judgment and judicial restraint,” said Sen. Hutchison.    » read more »

May 26th, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the senior Republican and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, made the following statement today regarding the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court:

“I congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination and commend President Obama for nominating the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to the United States Supreme Court.

"The confirmation process must focus on determining whether Judge Sotomayor is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) issued the following statement today after learning that President Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Judge Sotomayor is extremely qualified.

"She has the intellect and experiences necessary to serve on our nation’s highest Court. In addition to her nearly 17 years on the federal bench – having been appointed by both Presidents Bush and Clinton – she has unique life experiences that I believe are critical to ensure that the Court truly embodies the diversity of our country and understands how the law impacts ordinary Americans.

“I am confident that Judge Sotomayor will be an important voice on our Court for the rule of law and constitutional rights and values.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- “Today, President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

"I congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination and look forward to carefully reviewing her qualifications.

"One of the most constitutionally significant responsibilities of the Senate is to confirm the nomination of Supreme Court Justices.

"Therefore I expect the Senate will give this nomination a thorough, fair review.”

Source: Senator Judd Gregg

May 26, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley issued the comment below about the nomination today by President Obama of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court. Senator Grassley is a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the nomination will be considered.

"A lifetime appointment requires a thorough vetting, and I expect Judge Sotomayor to receive fair and deliberative consideration.    » read more »

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Graham is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“I do not know Judge Sotomayor. I look forward to meeting with her and discussing the important issues confronting the court.

“As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I intend to be fair and firm in my questioning of the nominee. The hearings can be a valuable public service as they give us a window into the nominee’s judicial philosophy and disposition. I hope we will have a meaningful opportunity to explore the qualifications, judicial temperament and judicial philosophy of Judge Sotomayor.    » read more »