Supreme court

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 »

May 26, 2009 -- "I congratulate President Obama for choosing such a highly qualified woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court.

President Obama has nominated an exemplary and compelling individual who has a history of bipartisan support. She was first nominated to the bench by President George H.W. Bush, and she has been confirmed twice by the U.S. Senate with overwhelming support.

With eight men, one woman and no Hispanics currently sitting on the court, President Obama listened to voices like former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in recognizing that diversity on the bench is essential.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kit Bond 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:

“I look forward to reviewing Judge Sotomayor's record and learning more from her hearings. Judge Sotomayor once said ‘I don't believe that we should bend the Constitution under any circumstances,’ I agree that is how judges should rule and I will expect her to continue that view."

Source: Senator Kit Bond

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) today issued the following statement regarding the President's announcement of his intent to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

"I congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination to serve on the Supreme Court, and I look forward to thoroughly reviewing her record."

Source: Senator Bob Bennett

May 26th, 2009 - WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement regarding the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

“It is the Senate’s responsibility to give the president’s Supreme Court nominee both respectful and rigorous scrutiny. The nominee should neither be pre-confirmed nor pre-judged.”

Source: Senator Lamar Alexander