Hispanics

Senators Gillibrand, Schumer Made Direct Appeal to President Recommending Judge Sotomayor to Serve As First Ever Latino to the Supreme Court

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand praised President Barack Obama’s historic move to select Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court. Earlier this month, Senators Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer sent a personal letter to President Obama recommending that he appoint Judge Sotomayor to serve as the first Latino on the nation’s highest court.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- “The President has chosen a very solid and tested woman as his nominee for the United States Supreme Court.

Sonia Sotomayor has served as a New York City prosecutor and she has been a federal judge for over 15 years. She has already been confirmed by the Senate twice – first as a federal trial court judge and then as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

The nomination is clearly historic in that she would be the first Latina, and the third woman ever, to sit on the Supreme Court.

I know there are those who will try to delay this nominee. However, I believe it is important that she has a clear opportunity for a fair and open nomination process, and that her nomination can move rapidly to the floor of the Senate and be confirmed.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- “I congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her nomination to the United States Supreme Court and President Obama on his first Supreme Court nomination.

"I supported Judge Sotomayor’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1998 and from all accounts, she is a highly qualified and very experienced judge. Judge Sotomayor’s nomination marks a historic moment for our nation.

"She is the first Hispanic American to be nominated to our nation’s highest court and if confirmed, she would be just the third woman to serve on the Court.

"Evaluating a Supreme Court nominee is a responsibility I take very seriously considering the significant impact a Supreme Court justice can have on our country.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Las Vegas, N.V. -- Senator John Ensign, Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, released the following statement after President Obama announced that Sonia Sotomayor is his nominee to be the next Supreme Court Justice.

"The American judicial system is a towering example of freedom and liberty to the world.

"Throughout the confirmation process, I will work with my colleagues and thoroughly review Judge Sotomayor's record to make sure she has the right intellect and understands the proper role of a judge–to interpret and apply the written law, not to decide cases based on personal feelings, politics or preferences.

"The confirmation process is just that –a process.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement regarding the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court.

“President Obama has made an outstanding and historic choice in his selection of New York Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court.

Her compelling life story and three decade career in nearly every aspect of the law provide Judge Sotomayor with unique qualifications to be the next Supreme Court justice. She has been called “one of the ablest federal judges currently sitting” and would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any jurist in 100 years.    » read more »

Historic Nomination Would Place the First Hispanic on the Supreme Court

May 26, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today after President Barack Obama announced his choice of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

“President Obama has promised to bring change to Washington and he continues to do that with his choice for Supreme Court Justice. Judge Sotomayor is a highly qualified and historic nominee.

"She would bring extensive legal experience and a unique perspective to the Supreme Court.

"I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of her nomination over the next few weeks.”

Source: Senator Chris Dodd

May 26, 2009 - Greenville, S.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, made the following statement about President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to serve as Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court.

"The President has done his part, but now it's up the Senate to determine Judge Sotomayor's qualifications.

"Some of her writings seem to raise serious questions about her approach to the Constitution and the role of the federal judiciary, but I will withhold judgment about her nomination until she has the opportunity to fully present her views before the Senate."

“Every Senator swears an oath to support and defend the Constitution.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a member of Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement following President Obama's nomination of Federal Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Now that President Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice Souter on the United States Supreme Court, it is time for the Senate to perform its Constitutional duty of advice and consent.

"Because Judge Sotomayor would serve for life if she is confirmed, it is essential that the Senate conducts this process thoroughly and the President has assured me that we will have ample time to give Ms. Sotomayor's record a full and fair review.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington – Senator Kent Conrad made the following statement today after President Barack Obama announced he will nominate federal appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice David Souter.

“Judge Sotomayor certainly has an impressive background. She is extremely bright, has vast experience and pulled herself up from humble beginnings to the top of her profession. She is also a tough, level headed centrist, nominated to the federal bench by President George H.W. Bush.

“We need justices who will impartially interpret the law and the Constitution and have a record of sound judgment.”

“I look forward to meeting with Judge Sotomayor and learning more about her views."    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today made the following statement regarding Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination for the Supreme Court.

“I have consistently stated that Supreme Court nominees must not engage in legislating from the bench, but must interpret the laws as they have been passed. The Senate deserves an appropriate amount of time to review this nominee. I look forward to a dignified and thorough confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Saxby Chambliss

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC- Following the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:

"Judge Sonia Sotomayor has a long and distinguished career on the federal bench since President George H.W. Bush appointed her to the District Court through her service on the Court of Appeals. Her experience also includes five years spent as a criminal prosecutor in New York City.

"Judge Sotomayor certainly has a compelling life story and would bring a unique perspective to the U.S. Supreme Court.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) provided the following reaction to President Obama’s announcement today of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his Supreme Court nominee:

“I commend President Obama for nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor, an experienced judge with a brilliant legal mind, to the Supreme Court of the United States.

“Judge Sotomayor brings more judicial experience than any justice confirmed in nearly a century. As a prosecutor, a litigator and a trial and appellate judge, she will bring a breadth of experience to our highest court. I also appreciate that she is highly regarded as moderate and a consensus builder, skills that will serve her well on the court.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement that he will nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court, filling the vacancy left by Justice David Souter.

“I welcome the announcement by President Obama of his intent to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court. We don’t have openings on the Court very often, so I appreciate the great thought behind this announcement and its promptness, which will give my fellow senators and I ample time to consider Judge Sotomayor’s nomination.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Senator Robert C. Byrd released the following statement on President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

“While I do not prejudge any nominee, President Obama has selected someone who appears to be an outstanding Supreme Court nominee in Judge Sonia Sotomayor.”

“Her life story is inspiring, and reminiscent of that of the son of a West Virginia coal miner who, through hard work, determination, and love from family, rose to an honorable position in the United States Senate.

"Sonia Sotomayor’s life is an inspiration to all young people everywhere, and I look forward to carefully reviewing her qualifications as we move forward with the confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Robert C. Byrd

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today applauded President Obama’s decision to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I applaud President Obama’s decision to nominate Judge Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The daughter of hard-working parents, Judge Sotomayor rose from New York public housing to become one of the most well-respected judges in the nation.

"Judge Sotomayor will be a tough, fair, and thoughtful addition to our nation’s highest court. She has been nominated to our courts in the past by both Republican and Democratic presidents and confirmed each time by strong bipartisan majorities.

"I hope we will proceed with the same bipartisan approach to this nomination.”    » read more »