Sotomayor Confirmed in Below Average Time
"I want to thank the Senate Judiciary Committee, particularly its Chairman, Senator Leahy -- as well as its Ranking Member, Senator Sessions -- for giving Judge Sotomayor a thorough and civil hearing. And I thank them for doing so in a timely manner so that she can be fully prepared to take her seat when the Court's work begins this September," Mr. Obama said.
According to CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller, that it has been two months and eleven days since Mr. Obama nominated Sotomayor. CBS News White House produer Robert Hendin points out that this means Sotomayor's waiting period was identical to that of Chief Justice John Roberts, with both confirmations taking 72 days from nomination to floor vote.
Both Sotomayor's and Roberts' appointments took less than the 81 day average for recent nominees.
According to Hendin, Sotomayor's predecessor, David Souter, was confirmed in 71 days. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was appointed in a short 50 days.
But Current Supreme Court justices Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia's confirmations took 92 days, as did the confirmation of former Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
Clarence Thomas tops the list with the longest period between nomination and the floor vote amongst presiding members. His confirmation took 105 days.
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