Women

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 »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today issued the following statement after President Barack Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court.

“This is a historic day for the Supreme Court – and the entire nation.

"Judge Sotomayor has distinguished herself on the Court of Appeals with her knowledge, expertise and judgment.

"I look forward to reviewing her qualifications more closely as the Senate proceeds with the confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Frank R. Lautenberg

5/26/09 -- U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, second in seniority among Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement about President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

The Judiciary Committee is responsible for conducting nomination hearings for the Supreme Court.

“I’m pleased to learn of President Obama’s historic nomination of the first Latina to the Supreme Court.By all accounts, Judge Sotomayor is accomplished, exceptionally bright and well-respected by her peers.

"It would be tough to classify her as a liberal or a conservative, and my hope is that she is a candidate I can support. I look forward to learning more about her experience and views during her confirmation hearings later this summer.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Senator John Kerry today released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.

“President Obama has made a history-making selection that meets his own criteria of an excellent mind coupled with real world empathy but also passes Justice Potter Stewart’s famous test of someone who is neither liberal nor conservative but simply a great judge.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy today released the following statement on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:

“I strongly support President Obama's historic nomination.

"Judge Sotomayor's remarkable life story is an inspiring example of the American dream, and she has a highly distinguished legal background.

"She'll bring intelligence, insight, and experience to the vital work of protecting the fundamental rights and liberties of all Americans.

"She is eminently qualified for the Supreme Court, and I look forward to her prompt confirmation by the Senate.”

Source: Senator Edward M. Kennedy

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) released the following statement in regards to the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"Judge Sotomayor has a distinguished record. She has twice received the strong, bipartisan support of the Senate: first when she was appointed to the District Court by President George H. W. Bush and later when nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1998.

She has already proven to be an intelligent, tough and mainstream jurist.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Senator Mike Johanns issued the following statement today after learning President Barack Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to serve as the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice:

"The confirmation of a U.S. Supreme Court Justice is one of the most important votes a U.S. Senator makes," said Johanns.

"It is critical that any nominee to the Supreme Court have a strong record of objectively interpreting the law and applying the Constitution, not advancing an activist agenda.

"Therefore, I will be thoroughly reviewing Judge Sotomayor's record and will follow the upcoming committee hearings for a detailed look at her record and opinions before making a final decision."

Source: Senator Mike Johanns

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement regarding President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Inhofe was one of 29 U.S. Senators that voted against Sotomayor's nomination to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in 1998.

"Without doubt, Judge Sotomayor's personal life story is truly inspiring. I congratulate her on being nominated. As the U.S. Senate begins the confirmation process, I look forward to looking closer at her recent rulings and her judicial philosophy.    » read more »