Judiciary Committee

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 »

BURLINGTON, May 26, 2009 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on the announcement today by President Obama that he will nominate federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor for a seat on the Supreme Court.

“In nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, I very much appreciate that President Obama is attempting to address the gender and ethnic imbalance that currently exists in the highest court in our land.

"As the nominating process unfolds, I look forward to hearing Judge Sotomayor’s views on the most important issues that the Supreme Court will be addressing.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- "I would expect President Obama, a former constitutional law professor, to select a high-caliber nominee who shares a deep respect for our Constitution and the rule of law.

"Indeed, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has impeccable credentials and an extraordinary American story. It is also critically important that she possess the proper judicial temperament and the ability to be fair and impartial. I believe this criterion is essential; activist judges have no place on the highest court of the land. That’s why I plan to carefully review Judge Sotomayor’s judicial record and philosophy as the Senate confirmation process advances.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 – Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson issued this statement today concerning President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the United States Supreme Court.

“President Obama is to be commended for selecting a nominee with a significant breadth and depth of legal experience to replace retiring Justice David Souter. I look forward to learning more about Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s background, record and qualifications -- and to meeting with her to discuss her judicial philosophy -- as this important United States Supreme Court nomination moves forward.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- “Judge Sonia Sotomayor is an unquestionably qualified Supreme Court choice and an unparalleled example of the true spirit and determination of the American dream. With her nomination, President Obama has responded to America’s need for a Court that is rich in service and experience and one that better reflects the people whose Constitution it is charged with upholding.

“Judge Sotomayor has been nominated to judicial positions by Presidents of both political parties because of her record of fairness, moderation and independence. And she has proven that she can apply sophisticated legal doctrines to common sense, every-day application of the law.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court:

"I congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on being nominated by the President to the United States Supreme Court.

"As the Senate moves forward with her nomination, I will examine and review very closely Judge Sotomayor’s qualifications and background for a court appointment.

"As a member of the Senate, I take my advice and consent role very seriously, and I look forward to a fair and full debate on this nomination.”

Source: Senator Lisa Murkowski

26-May-2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – US Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) issued the following statement on President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court:

“I applaud President Obama’s historic nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court, and the third woman to ever serve on the Court.

"She has a compelling personal story as well as a distinguished judicial record.

"Throughout her career, she has worked to make sure that the courthouse doors are open to all. I look forward to carefully reviewing her record during the confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

May 26, 2009 -- Klamath Falls, Oregon – President Barack Obama today announced the nomination of 2nd Circuit Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the nomination:

“President Obama has put forward a highly qualified nominee with extensive judicial experience.

"Judge Sotomayor’s three decade long career in nearly every aspect of the law provides her with the type of strong legal background needed to serve on the court.

"She has garnered praise for her thorough, well-reasoned opinions and her respect for the Constitution.

"I look forward to learning more about Judge Sotomayor as the nomination process unfolds.”

Source: Senator Jeff Merkley

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Justice:

“I applaud President Obama for this wise and historic nomination. The Senate will be scrutinizing her judicial qualifications, and I believe that Judge Sotomayor is eminently qualified to become a Supreme Court Justice.

“Throughout her distinguished career, including appointments from both Republican and Democratic administrations, Judge Sotomayor has shown a vast knowledge of the law, displayed the proper temperament and gained a breadth of experience that makes her an ideal nominee."    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Tuesday regarding the President’s announcement of his intent to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court:

“Senate Republicans will treat Judge Sotomayor fairly. But we will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) made the following statement today regarding the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court:

“I congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her nomination by the President to be an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court,” said Senator John McCain. “I look forward to examining her record thoroughly during the Senate confirmation process.”

Source: Senator John McCain

May 26, 2009 -- (Orlando, FL) - U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today issued a statement regarding the President's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court.

Senator Martinez said:

"During the twenty-five years I spent in Florida courts, I gained a great respect for our judicial system and the importance it plays in our society. At the apex of this system is the Supreme Court of the United States. On that court, we must have the very best.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today issued the following statement on Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama’s nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Judge Sotomayor currently serves as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

“I believe the people of Arkansas and our nation deserve a Supreme Court Justice who is able to interpret and apply the law fairly without political favor or bias,” Lincoln said.

“Ensuring that a nominee meets this standard is an obligation I have sworn to uphold as a United States Senator, and moreover, is the standard that Americans expect for a lifetime appointment to our nation’s highest court.    » read more »

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 »