Sotomayor, Colleagues Pose for Group Photo
(AP )
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September 29, 2009 10:20 AM Members of the Supreme Court gathered this morning for a photograph in honor of newly-confirmed Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the Court's first Hispanic member. Such photos are taken every time a new Justice enters the court. Check out this morning's shot at left.
September 9, 2009 3:33 PM
The Supreme Court returned from summer recess early today to hear a case about "Hillary: The Movie." The FEC considered the negative portrayal of Clinton's career in the film, financed by Citizens United, to be in violation of campaign finance law that restricts corporations and labor unions from directly paying for advertising advocating a candidate on TV within 60 days of an election. The makers of the film say it’s an issue of free speech.
On "Washington Unplugged" Wednesday, Rep. David Price (D- N.C.), who wrote an amicus curiae in the case in support of the FEC , said if the court was to be "attentive to precedent as well as to the intent of the law...I believe they won't open these larger cases."
Price called McCain-Feingold a "very solid case in law" and admitted that it is "unsettling that the court seems to be looking at these older precedents as well."
He said he had "no idea" why the Supreme Court came back early to hear this case. "This case...could be settled on much narrower grounds."
Unplugged: Hillary Movie Case to Be "Major Showdown"
The Supreme Court returned from summer recess early today to hear a case about "Hillary: The Movie." The FEC considered the negative portrayal of Clinton's career in the film, financed by Citizens United, to be in violation of campaign finance law that restricts corporations and labor unions from directly paying for advertising advocating a candidate on TV within 60 days of an election. The makers of the film say it’s an issue of free speech.
On "Washington Unplugged" Wednesday, Rep. David Price (D- N.C.), who wrote an amicus curiae in the case in support of the FEC , said if the court was to be "attentive to precedent as well as to the intent of the law...I believe they won't open these larger cases."
Price called McCain-Feingold a "very solid case in law" and admitted that it is "unsettling that the court seems to be looking at these older precedents as well."
He said he had "no idea" why the Supreme Court came back early to hear this case. "This case...could be settled on much narrower grounds."
August 6, 2009 5:09 PM 
In his speech following the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, President Obama commended the Senate for acting in a "timely manner."
"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.
Sotomayor Confirmed in Below Average Time
(AP)
"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.
August 3, 2009 4:34 PM 
Senator John McCain announced Monday that he will not vote for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor to be confirmed later this week.
In a statement on the floor of the Senate, the former Republican presidential candidate characterized as Sotomayor an "activist" who does not seem to share his belief in "judicial restraint."
"Her writings demonstrated that she does not subscribe to the philosophy that federal judges should respect the limited nature of the judicial power under our Constitution," McCain said.
Furthermore, McCain said that Sotomayor used her position to "amend the law to fit the circumstances of the case." According to McCain, "The job of a judge is not to make law or ignore the law."
"I cannot support activist judges that seek to legislate from the bench," he said. "Judicial activism demonstrates a lack of respect for the popular will that is at fundamental odds with our republican system of government
McCain Won't Vote for Sotomayor
(CBS)
In a statement on the floor of the Senate, the former Republican presidential candidate characterized as Sotomayor an "activist" who does not seem to share his belief in "judicial restraint."
"Her writings demonstrated that she does not subscribe to the philosophy that federal judges should respect the limited nature of the judicial power under our Constitution," McCain said.
Furthermore, McCain said that Sotomayor used her position to "amend the law to fit the circumstances of the case." According to McCain, "The job of a judge is not to make law or ignore the law."
"I cannot support activist judges that seek to legislate from the bench," he said. "Judicial activism demonstrates a lack of respect for the popular will that is at fundamental odds with our republican system of government
July 31, 2009 1:58 PM 
Earlier today, Hotsheet reported on anger over the possibility that Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana might not support Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.
This afternoon, however, Baucus calmed the uproar by coming out in support of President Obama's nominee.
Here's his full statement, as reported by Montana newspapers:
Baucus to Support Sotomayor
(AP)
This afternoon, however, Baucus calmed the uproar by coming out in support of President Obama's nominee.
Here's his full statement, as reported by Montana newspapers:
July 30, 2009 10:53 AM 
Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court got another boost this morning when Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander said that he would be supporting Sotomayor when her nomination comes to a vote on the full Senate floor next week.
The Tennessean is the third ranking Republican in the Senate and the first member of the leadership to express his support for Sotomayor's nomination.
"Even though Judge Sotomayor's political and judicial philosophy may be different than mine, especially regarding Second Amendments rights, I will vote to confirm her because she is well qualified by experience, temperament, character and intellect to serve," Alexander said in a speech on the Senate floor, according to the Associated Press.
In his comments, Alexander echoed sentiments made by another Republican senator who supports Sotomayor, Lindsey Graham, arguing that senators should show some deference to the president.
Sotomayor Picks Up Another Republican Vote
(Office of Sen. Lamar Alexander)
The Tennessean is the third ranking Republican in the Senate and the first member of the leadership to express his support for Sotomayor's nomination.
"Even though Judge Sotomayor's political and judicial philosophy may be different than mine, especially regarding Second Amendments rights, I will vote to confirm her because she is well qualified by experience, temperament, character and intellect to serve," Alexander said in a speech on the Senate floor, according to the Associated Press.
In his comments, Alexander echoed sentiments made by another Republican senator who supports Sotomayor, Lindsey Graham, arguing that senators should show some deference to the president.
July 24, 2009 3:43 PM 
Following Republican leadership, two more GOP senators announced today that they will vote against Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Friday they will oppose her confirmation.
Cornyn, whose constituency is one-third Hispanic, said he was announcing his decision with "regret and some sadness," while acknowledging the political risk involved, according to the Associated Press.
"Voting to confirm Judge Sotomayor -- despite my doubts -- would certainly be the politically expedient thing to do. But it would not be the right thing to do," Cornyn said in a statement.
He added that many of her public statements "reflected a surprisingly radical view of the law."
Hatch said he will vote against Sotomayor because he disagrees with her judicial philosophy, even though he voted to confirm her appointment to a federal appeals court in 1998.
Hatch, Cornyn to Vote "No" on Sotomayor
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Cornyn, whose constituency is one-third Hispanic, said he was announcing his decision with "regret and some sadness," while acknowledging the political risk involved, according to the Associated Press.
"Voting to confirm Judge Sotomayor -- despite my doubts -- would certainly be the politically expedient thing to do. But it would not be the right thing to do," Cornyn said in a statement.
He added that many of her public statements "reflected a surprisingly radical view of the law."
Hatch said he will vote against Sotomayor because he disagrees with her judicial philosophy, even though he voted to confirm her appointment to a federal appeals court in 1998.
July 22, 2009 2:29 PM 
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, said Wednesday he will not vote to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, but the first Latina nominee to the high court did win the support of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of the most outspoken Republicans to observe her confirmation hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The two senators announced their positions one day after Republicans requested delaying the vote to confirm Sotomayor for another week.
"Her life story ... is something that every American should be proud of, and if her selection to the Supreme Court will inspire young women, particularly Latino women, to seek a career in the law, then that is a good thing and I hope it will," Graham said, according to the Associated Press.
GOP Sen. Graham to Vote Yes on Sotomayor
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The two senators announced their positions one day after Republicans requested delaying the vote to confirm Sotomayor for another week.
"Her life story ... is something that every American should be proud of, and if her selection to the Supreme Court will inspire young women, particularly Latino women, to seek a career in the law, then that is a good thing and I hope it will," Graham said, according to the Associated Press.
July 21, 2009 11:14 AM 
The Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning delayed its vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor until next Tuesday, July 28th.
Republicans requested the delay, which was granted by Judiciary Committee chair and Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy. It is standard practice to grant such requests.
Sotomayor's confirmation is widely expected to go through. After the Judiciary Committee vote, the full Senate is likely to follow the standard timetable of four or five days of debate before voting on the nominee.
"We all know that Judge Sotomayor will be confirmed," Leahy said, according to Newsday. "I hope that once she is passed out of this committee there will be no delay on the floor."
The full Congress is expected to vote on Sotomayor before it goes on recess August 8th.
The nominee is expected to get the backing of all 60 Senate Democrats. She will also have the support of Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who Tuesday released a statement saying she has "concluded that Judge Sotomayor understands the proper rule of a judge and is committed to applying the law impartially without bias or favoritism."
Senate Republicans Delay Sotomayor Vote
(AP)
Republicans requested the delay, which was granted by Judiciary Committee chair and Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy. It is standard practice to grant such requests.
Sotomayor's confirmation is widely expected to go through. After the Judiciary Committee vote, the full Senate is likely to follow the standard timetable of four or five days of debate before voting on the nominee.
"We all know that Judge Sotomayor will be confirmed," Leahy said, according to Newsday. "I hope that once she is passed out of this committee there will be no delay on the floor."
The full Congress is expected to vote on Sotomayor before it goes on recess August 8th.
The nominee is expected to get the backing of all 60 Senate Democrats. She will also have the support of Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who Tuesday released a statement saying she has "concluded that Judge Sotomayor understands the proper rule of a judge and is committed to applying the law impartially without bias or favoritism."
July 17, 2009 1:48 PM 
While the Republican party will not uniformly block Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice, a few GOP Senators will vote against her, most notably the party leader.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will announce on Monday that he will vote against her confirmation, the Associated Press reports. A senior aide to McConnell told the AP that the senator is worried Sotomayor would let her sympathies and prejudices interfere with her decisions as a justice.
McConnell would join three other Republicans who have already said they will vote against her: Senators James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Jim Bunning of Kentucky, and Pat Roberts of Kansas.
Meanwhile, more Republicans today announced they will support Sotomayor. Senators Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) announced Friday they will vote for the nominee. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) announced his support earlier in the day.
Democrats have scheduled a committee vote for Tuesday and are planing for a final confirmation vote before the Senate breaks for its August recess.
GOP Senators Line Up For, Against Sotomayor
(AP)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will announce on Monday that he will vote against her confirmation, the Associated Press reports. A senior aide to McConnell told the AP that the senator is worried Sotomayor would let her sympathies and prejudices interfere with her decisions as a justice.
McConnell would join three other Republicans who have already said they will vote against her: Senators James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Jim Bunning of Kentucky, and Pat Roberts of Kansas.
Meanwhile, more Republicans today announced they will support Sotomayor. Senators Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) announced Friday they will vote for the nominee. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) announced his support earlier in the day.
Democrats have scheduled a committee vote for Tuesday and are planing for a final confirmation vote before the Senate breaks for its August recess.
Author Thomas Friedman on Obama's Afghanistan plan and the war on terror.
