Law

May 27, 2009 -- (Lincoln Neb.) -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today signed LB 63. The bill addresses violent crime by enacting increased penalties and new crimes. It also creates a new Office of Violence Prevention within the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (Crime Commission).

LB 63 was introduced by Sen. Mike Friend and prioritized by Sen. Brad Ashford, both of Omaha. It strengthens penalties for crimes including first degree assault, assault of an officer, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm at a school, and possession of a stolen firearm.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- There is no question that nominating a Supreme Court Justice is amongst a president’s most important responsibilities. In replacing Justice Souter, the President has vowed to seek someone with a sharp and independent mind, and a record of excellence and integrity. As a former constitutional law professor, he believes it paramount to select someone who rejects ideology and shares his deep respect for the Constitutional values on which this nation was founded.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Sonia Sotomayor has served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit since October 1998. She has been hailed as "one of the ablest federal judges currently sitting" for her thoughtful opinions,i and as "a role model of aspiration, discipline, commitment, intellectual prowess and integrity"ii for her ascent to the federal bench from an upbringing in a South Bronx housing project.    » read more »

05/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States:

"I applaud President Obama's choice to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. Today's announcement demonstrates the president's commitment to bring greater diversity of thought, perspective and experience to the nation's legal system. The daughter of working-class Puerto Rican parents, Judge Sotomayor grew up in public housing reading Nancy Drew books, which sparked her interest in the law profession.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court:

“President Obama has made an historic and wise nomination in Judge Sotomayor for the Supreme Court of the United States.

"Her three decades of experience as a lawyer and a judge is stellar in every way; from serving as prosecutor to trial court judge and appellate court judge, she has earned distinction at every level and has proven to be a fair, tough, champion for the law. Moreover, her life journey from the South Bronx to the pinnacle of her profession embodies the American dream and reflects her unwavering commitment to education, hard work, and opportunity for all.    » read more »

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director

May 26, 2009 -- San Francisco, CA: "The Sierra Club today praised President Obama for the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. With a long record as a thoughtful, intelligent and fair-minded judge, we look forward to the confirmation process for Judge Sotomayor. Her life story and extensive legal experience make her an excellent nominee for the Court."

"Today's historic nomination reaffirms the importance of selecting nominees in all branches of government that reflect America's diversity. Our different backgrounds strengthen us in our efforts to protect the natural and human environment, and we fully expect decades of exemplary public service from Judge Sotomayor."    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- “This historic nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court sends a strong signal that President Obama understands the importance of ensuring that our Supreme Court justices respect precedent while also protecting our civil liberties.

“Judge Sotomayor has vast experience in nearly every aspect of the law, having served as a big-city prosecutor and a corporate litigator, a federal trial judge on the U.S. District Court, and an appellate judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.    » read more »

Confirm Sotomayor Based On Her Record, Not Partisan Politics, Says NAACP President; Reasoned And Expeditious Non-Partisan Hearings Will Serve Nation Best

May 26, 2009 -- After leaving the White House announcement Tuesday morning with President Barack Obama, NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous applauded the historic nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who would be the first Hispanic, and third woman, to serve on the Supreme Court.    » read more »

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 »