Today the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. The Judiciary Committee approved her nomination 13-6, largely along party lines. All of the Democrats on the committee voted for Sotomayor’s nomination along with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the only Republican on the committee to vote for the nomination.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) praised Sotomayor’s qualifications, and announced, “It is with enthusiasm and hope that I am going to vote in favor of this historic nomination.” Ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-AL), however, announced his opposition to the nomination of Sotomayor because of her judicial record and statements that she has made.
During Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination hearing Sessions said, “I will not vote for—no senator should vote for—an individual nominated by any President who is not fully committed to fairness and impartiality towards every person who appears before them. I will not vote for—no senator should vote for—an individual nominated by any President who believes it is acceptable for a judge to allow their own personal background, gender, prejudices, or sympathies to sway their decision in favor of, or against, parties before the court.”
Judge Sotomayor’s nomination will go the full Senate as early as next week where she is expected to garner up to 70% of the vote. Four Republican senators, besides Senator Graham, have announced that they will vote for her confirmation: Olympia Snowe (ME), Susan Collins (ME), Mel Martinez (FL), and Richard Lugar (IN).
Urge your Senators to oppose Sotomayor by sending a letter through the SBA List Action Center today!
