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Sotomayor confirmation debate begins in full Senate

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The US Senate on Tuesday began debate on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court. While it is believed that Sotomayor will be confirmed to replace retiring Justice David Souter, Senate Republicans renewed their objections to Sotomayor prior to the beginning of the debate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called Sotomayor's background, "distinguished," but again raised the issue of the her comments on how a judge's history may inform his or her decisions. Also on Tuesday, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) indicated that he would not vote for Sotomayor's confirmation, calling her a judicial activist and saying, "s a district court judge, her decisions too often strayed beyond settled legal norms." The debate over Sotomayor's nomination is not expected to last long, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) indicated that he anticipates history will be made this week when the Senate confirms Sotomayor. Sotomayor's nomination was approved by the Judiciary Committee last week by a 13-6 vote, mostly along party lines. Prior to that vote, Sotomayor faced questions from senators during late July confirmation hearings. Earlier last month, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary gave Sotomayor a unanimous "well-qualified" rating.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on August 05, 2009 (boomark / email).