Women

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

May 26, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to serve on the United State Supreme Court:

“Throughout her impressive life and career, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has demonstrated the integrity, leadership and intellect that make her an outstanding nominee to our nation’s highest court. I congratulate President Obama for his selection of Judge Sotomayor, a native New Yorker whose legal mind will undoubtedly benefit our entire judicial system.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today praised President Barack Obama’s selection of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the United States Supreme Court.

“The President made an excellent choice in picking Judge Sotomayor, making her the first Hispanic Justice on the US Supreme Court,” said Governor Richardson.

“Her life experience combined with her legal intellect should make Judge Sotomayor an outstanding member of the Court. President Obama should be commended for combining diversity and impeccable legal credentials in his selection."

Source: New Mexico Governor

May 26, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court:

"I am very pleased President Obama has chosen to diversify the court and reflect the multi-cultural heritage of our nation by nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. The first Hispanic nominee to the high court, Judge Sotomayor claims excellent judicial qualifications, as evidenced by her distinguished tenure on the bench, and superb academic qualifications, that will truly make her an exceptional candidate for our times.    » read more »

Funds will strengthen victim services and bolster criminal justice programs across Indiana

May 19, 2009 -- Washington – Senator Evan Bayh today announced that Indiana will receive more than $2.8 million in funds to prevent violence against women under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) in Indianapolis will receive the funds from the Recovery Act STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to the ICJI, the funds will allow local jurisdictions in Indiana to hire more victim advocates and to create more training opportunities for police officers, prosecutors and other victim service providers.    » read more »

Will Strengthen Victim Services and Create Jobs; Department of Justice Awards Funding to Hire and Retain Criminal Justice Personnel to Respond to Violent Crimes Against

May 18, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- United States Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the United States Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) will allocate $7,374,913 to New York State under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program.    » read more »