Judiciary Committee

May 26, 2009 -- America’s workers applaud the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. She is a brilliant jurist and in her distinguished career has worked at almost every level of our judicial system - as a prosecutor, litigator, trial court and appellate judge – and would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years.

Judge Sotomayor will also bring to the Supreme Court a direct and personal understanding of the struggles America’s workers endure every day. She grew up in public housing in the Bronx, the daughter of a factory worker, and understands the real world consequences of the decisions she makes from the bench.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON DC -- Statement of Change to Win Chair and SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States:

“Some choices are made for today; others are decided with the future in mind: this choice is right on both counts.    » read more »

Cites Her Strong Interpretation of Law; Enforcement of Statutory Rights for Workers

May 26, 2009 -- PITTSBURGH, -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today commended President Obama on his nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court. First nominated by President George H.W. Bush to the federal court, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic justice -- and only the third woman justice -- in the history of the nation's highest court.

"Judge Sotomayor is a sound, progressive judge who is blessed with a brilliant legal mind," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. "Her journey from a South Bronx housing project to the pinnacle of the legal profession proves that the American Dream is true: with hard work and perseverance, nothing is beyond imagination."    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement after President Barack Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court:

“Just as the Constitution provides the president the power to nominate a candidate to the Supreme Court, it also gives the Senate an essential role in providing ‘advice and consent.’

"It is important that Judge Sotomayor be treated fairly and that her confirmation process be thorough. I look forward to examining her record, experience, and judicial temperament and philosophy as this process moves forward.”

Source: Senator Roger Wicker

May 26, 2009 -- Afghanistan - During a congressional delegation visit to Afghanistan today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) applauded President Obama's nomination to the Supreme Court of Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

"By all accounts, Judge Sotomayor is a superb jurist who would bring distinction to the Court," said Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General for Rhode Island who now serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Her nomination to be the first Hispanic justice is truly historic. I look forward to hearing from her during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings that Chairman Leahy will convene this summer.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC—The following is a statement from Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

“It is clear that Judge Sotomayor has a compelling personal story and a life of great legal achievement, rooted in three decades of practice in nearly every area of our judicial system.

"I look forward to further reviewing her record during the confirmation process in the Senate.”

Source: Senator Jim Webb

May 26, 2009 -- “As the first Hispanic nominee for the Supreme Court and only the third woman, Judge Sotomayor is certainly making hopeful and positive history. Now we must study her record and philosophy carefully to ensure that she understands the proper role of the judge as impartial umpire – not pitcher or catcher.

“The Constitution is clear that Supreme Court justices must interpret the law and not legislate from the bench. Judge Sotomayor made some comments at Duke University regarding the power of the courts to make policy that do give me pause, and that it is something that I look forward to discussing with her.

“As her nomination progresses, I will be thoroughly reviewing her judicial record and I look forward to her nomination hearing,” said Vitter.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court:

"In many respects Judge Sonia Sotomayor's credentials to ascend to the United States Supreme Court are reminiscent of many other Justices who have followed the same path.

"A high school valedictorian, Sotomayor attended Princeton University before entering Yale Law School, then becoming a respected prosecutor and eventually entering into private practice.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mark Udall released the following statement on President Obama’s decision to nominate 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to succeed Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“As a U.S. Senator I must give my advice and consent before any of the President’s nominees to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court may be seated, and I take my responsibility seriously. I’m going to take my time to study Judge Sotomayor’s record and background, and I look forward to meeting with her.    » read more »

May 26th, 2009 - Washington, D.C. - Senator John Thune, Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today issued the following statement on President Obama's announcement of his nominee to the Supreme Court:

"Now that President Obama has announced Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, I expect a thorough and fair examination of her background, judicial record, and adherence to the Constitution.

"It will be important to determine if Judge Sotomayor will decide cases based on her own personal feelings and political views, or the bedrock rule of law.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. - May 26, 2009 -- Today, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) made the following comments regarding President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States:

“I applaud the nomination of Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Her confirmation would add needed diversity in two ways: the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the high court. While her record suggests excellent educational and professional qualifications, now it is up to the Senate to discharge its constitutional duty for a full and fair confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Arlen Specter

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- In response to President Obama’s announcement to nominate U.S. appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor of New York to replace retiring justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) issued the following statement today:

"Indisputably, this is an historic selection, as Sonia Sotomayor is just the third woman to be nominated to The Court and the first Hispanic American. I commend President Obama for nominating a well-qualified woman, as I urged him to do during a one-on-one meeting on a variety of issues in the Oval Office earlier this month.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Richard Shelby today made the following statement regarding the President’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The Senate must be committed to confirming judges who will interpret the Constitution and the law without prejudice and with the utmost respect for the rule of law. I look forward to reviewing Judge Sotomayor's record to ensure that she has the qualifications and temperament necessary to be the next justice on our Supreme Court."

Source: Senator Richard Shelby

May 26, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen released the following statement today in support of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"Judge Sonia Sotomayor has led a distinguished career as a federal judge and has consistently demonstrated independence and a deep knowledge of the law.

"Her experience, intellect, and integrity prepare her well to serve our country on the United States Supreme Court. I congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination and commend President Obama on this strong selection.

"Judge Sotomayor has received strong bipartisan support in the past, and I look forward to a fair and swift confirmation."

Source: Senator Jeanne Shaheen

May 26, 2009 -- MOBILE -- U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) made the following comments today regarding President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:

“The president’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court today is an important step in a constitutional process that includes the advice and consent of the Senate. I congratulate Ms. Sotomayor on her nomination.    » read more »