Senate Confirms Sotomayor to Supreme Court

In 68 to 31 Vote, Senate Approves First Hispanic, Third Woman Supreme Court Justice; 9 Republicans Vote in Favor

(CBS/AP)  Updated 7:35 p.m. ET

In a history-making vote, the Senate has confirmed Sonia Sotomayor as the Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice.

The vote was 68 to 31, with nine Republicans voting in favor of President Obama's first Supreme Court nomination. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who is suffering from brain cancer, was not present.

All 57 Democrats present voted for the nomination, along with the Senate's two independents.

The nine Republican senators who voted for Sotomayor were: Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Sen. Christopher Bond (Mo.), Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine), Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.), Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.), Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.), and Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio). (More on the vote breakdown here.)

CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews reports that Republicans who opposed her were under pressure from their conservative base and from the NRA, but said the judge had revealed an ethnic bias that would lead to rulings not based in law… "but in the subjective realm of personal quote opinions, sympathies and prejudices," as Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., put it.

Latinos Celebrate Sotomayor Confirmation


It was not quite as bipartisan as the vote for Chief Justice Roberts at 78-22 but ten votes higher than the 58-42 vote for Justice Samuel Alito, reports Andrews.

"She ends up with more votes than Samuel Alito and fewer votes than John Roberts, and in the end no one is going to remember the margins," said CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen. "She'll now prepare to settle in to the court, and to a new city, and I'm sure she's already had a peek at some of the briefs in cases she'll begin to help decide when the new term begins in a few weeks." (Read more instant analysis from Cohen)

After the vote, Mr. Obama said he was "pleased and deeply gratified."

"Like so many other aspects of this nation, I'm filled with pride in this achievement and great confidence that Judge Sotomayor will make an outstanding Supreme Court justice," he said. "This is a wonderful day for Judge Sotomayor and her family, but I also think it's a wonderful day for America."

The president also thanked the Senate Judiciary Committee for giving Sotomayor "a thorough and civil hearing."

On his way out following his prepared statement, CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller asked Mr. Obama whether he was happy with 68 votes for Sotomayor.

"I'm very happy," the president said. (Read more on Mr. Obama's remarks.)

The 55-year-old daughter of Puerto Rican parents was raised in a South Bronx housing project and educated in the Ivy League before rising to the highest legal echelons, spending the past 17 years as a federal judge.

Sotomayor was nominated by Mr. Obama on May 26 -- two months and 11 days from today. She will be sworn in on Saturday. (Read more on the confirmation times of other recent justices)

Senators took the rare step of assembling at their desks on the Senate floor for the historic occasion, rising from their seats to cast their votes. The chamber's newest senator, Democrat Al Franken of Minnesota, was in the chair running the proceedings.

Sotomayor now will replace retiring Justice David Souter, a liberal named by a Republican president.

"She's not likely to have a huge impact on the Court's ideological makeup because in some ways she's the same sort of moderate liberal that her predecessor, David Souter was. And you can even argue that she is likely to be more conservative than he was in certain kinds of cases, like business or law enforcement cases," Cohen said.

"The real test for the White House and the Congress will come when the president of one party has to overcome a Senate controlled by members of the other party. That didn't happen here, it didn't happen with Justices Alito or Roberts, either, and if it does happen down the road we will the sort of political bloodbath we haven't seen since the Bork and Thomas confirmations," he added.

A majority of Republicans lined up against her, arguing she'd bring personal bias and a liberal agenda to the bench. But Democrats praised Sotomayor as an extraordinarily qualified mainstream moderate and touted her elevation to the court as a milestone in the nation's journey toward greater equality and a reaffirmation of the American dream.

Democrats also warned Republicans that they risk a backlash from Hispanic voters - a growing part of the electorate - for opposing her. But Republicans bristle at the suggestion, noting that Democrats used extraordinary measures several years ago to block the confirmation of GOP-nominated Miguel Estrada, a Honduran-born attorney, to the federal bench.

Minutes before the vote, Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the Senate's lone Hispanic Democrat, said, "History awaits, and so does an anxious Hispanic community in this country."

"When she places her hand on the Bible and takes the oath of office, the new portrait of the justices of the Supreme Court will clearly reflect who we are as a nation, what we stand for as a fair, just and hopeful people."

GOP senators say their opposition to Sotomayor is based on her speeches and record, pointing to a few rulings in which they argue she showed disregard for gun rights, property rights and job discrimination claims by white employees. They also cite comments she's made about the role that a judge's background and perspective can play, especially a 2001 speech in which she said she hoped a "wise Latina" would usually make better decisions than a white man.

Republicans have been particularly critical of Sotomayor's position on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. She was part of a panel that ruled this year that the amendment doesn't limit state actions - only federal ones - in keeping with previous Supreme Court precedent. But gun rights supporters said her court shouldn't have called the issue "settled law," and they criticized her for refusing during her confirmation hearings to go beyond what the high court has said and declare that the Second Amendment applies to the states.

Her writings and speeches "reflect a belief not just that impartiality is not possible, but that it's not even worth the effort," said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader. "In Judge Sotomayor's court, groups that didn't make the cut of preferred groups often found that they ended up on the short end of the empathy standard."

The National Rifle Association is strongly opposing her and has threatened to downgrade any senator who votes to confirm Sotomayor in its closely watched candidate ratings. The warning has made little impact on Democrats, many of whom have rallied behind the judge despite their perfect or near-perfect ratings from the NRA, but it may have influenced some Republicans who were initially considered possible supporters but have since announced their opposition, citing gun rights as a key reason.

The handful of Republicans who are backing Sotomayor say that while they disagree with some of her views and rulings, they believe she's well-qualified. Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri said partisanship has no place in debates over judges.

"There's been no significant finding against her, there's been no public uprising against her," Bond said. "I will support her, I'll be proud for her, the community she represents and the American dream she shows is possible."

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., added that politicizing the confirmation process - as he argued Democrats did when they blocked GOP nominees in the past - "undermines the public's views of our courts and the integrity of our judicial system."

"Judge Sotomayor's decisions, while not always the decision I would render, are not outside the legal mainstream and do not indicate an obvious desire to legislate from the bench," said GOP Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio.

Sotomayor watched the vote unfold on large-screen televisions in a conference room at the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan with other judges and courthouse personnel. Sotomayor has worked in the building for years, first as a district judge and then on a federal appeals court. When the vote came in, the crowd stood up and screamed.

Spectators said a misty-eyed Sotomayor fielded a call from her mother only moments after her confirmation was announced. She was overheard saying, "Mommy, I have people here," before having a brief conversation in Spanish.

As the gathering broke up, a beaming Sotomayor brushed off questions from reporters, telling them, "I'm going to be with my friends."

She was mobbed in the hallway by admirers - many wearing buttons reading "Justice Sonia" - who hugged her and jockeyed to pose with her for cell phone photos. After about 30 minutes, the newest justice disappeared into an elevator under the close watch of deputy U.S. marshals.

Read more:

Obama "Filled With Pride" Over Sotomayor

Vote Breakdown: Nine Republicans Back Sotomayor

Andrew Cohen: Sotomayor Confirmation an "Easy One" for White House

Sotomayor Confirmed in Below Average Time

[peanut9244]

I wonder does this mean he have to learn to speak Spanish in America. I also wonder are we still going to have to push 1 for English, and Yo también me pregunto son nosotros todavía tendremos que empujar dos para español.
Either way we as a country are getting screwed by the Democrats.
Here this country was FINE from 1776 to 1966, everyone got along with everyone. We worked beside Blacks, we worked beside Hispanics, we worked beside every ethnic group you can think of and it all worked.
If you were courious engouh and you best friend was of a certain ethnic race you learned to speak his or her language and you were none the worst.
NOW, today you have people at each others throats because they cuss you out in a language that you cannot understand, and there is not a thing they you can do about it AND THEY KNOW YOU CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
I myself am NOT to happy with Sotomayor NOT because she is a Democrat, NOT because she is Hispanic, God only knows how many Hispanic friends I have from BOTH parties, but because she did NOT tell all that she is involved with. I seen the interview committee on TV and I have read many articles about her both pro and con, the type of articles that let you draw your own conclusion.
I fear that because of the exposure she has received, and it was plenty, that this woman is going to let her FIRST IN THE HISTORY BOOKS experience go right to her head and she is going to be letting people go back into society that should remain behind bars.
Also something that my friends, wife and I agree on.....NOW OBAMA HAS SOMEONE IN THE SUPREME COURT THAT CAN OVERTURN AND SIDE WITH HIM. Sonja is NOT a stupid woman and, as a former legal researcher, Sonja is going to find ALL the loop holes that Obama is going to need to get what EVER he wants to go through....MARK MY WORDS ON THAT.

[cs4466]

Welcome Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor! Makes you proud to be an American!

Very bad.

This judge is a member of a new breed. She is wholly in favor of anything the government decides to do. Hers is a power down philosophy where the front line worker is in charge and is provided all the resources to do anything the government wants to do.

This happens because she is a product of the government. Once connected with the likes of Moynihan, she owes an allegiance to the government circles that empowered her.

So the damage she will do to unconnected citizens is beyond imagination.

[democracy1]

Oh, is THAT why Bush Sr. appointed her to the Federal bench? Thanks for enlightening us. (sarcasm)

[grumpas]

I think the right wing nuts get weirder by the day! Some of them are here venting their opinion as always. Keep up the good work lareneberly and others. The more you people look like what you are, a bunch of freaks. The more people leave your party and vote for the other side. The more irrelevant the Republican Party becomes. Hopefully by next election it will be nonexistant.

[swin5]

Despite her racist comments and throw away the constitution philosophy, EVERY SINGLE democrat voted for her. Every single one. You mean not a single one had any doubts about her. Talk about sheep. Where is the leadership in this country? When it comes to something as important as a lifetime member of the supreme court, you don't play politics - you vote your conscience. Ooops. Sorry. I forget - you have to have a sense of morality to have a conscience and with their stands on homosexuality, abortion, drugs, etc., the democrats seemingly don't have one.

[ladypirate2]

You are absolutely right! I'm also going to repeat again what I said about the nine republicans who voted for her and apply it here to the democrats. I believe the reason that every single democrat voted for Sotomayor is that they are spineless wonders. If it weren't for the starch in their shirts there would be nothing holding them up! They are all afraid of Obama and the repercussions that would befall them if they stood up against him. I think that they were probably told to vote yes by the high ranking democrats in the senate and the house. They probably received a phone call from Nancy Pelosi and maybe others and were threatened with repercussions. They may have been told that if they wanted their bills to pass and their state's projects to be funded, they had to vote yes. If they voted no they would get nothing that they wanted. I think that's the reason that every single democrat voted for Sotomayor. Otherwise the odds are there would have been at least one or two that would have voted against her. I believe it was the old "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" game!

[Volksstimme]

Now that Maobama has the media in his pockets he buys himself a supreme court judge by picking Saddammajor. Nice move. Now he can repress those that oppose him just like any other dictator. Wake up America for the fat lady started singing .............

[ladypirate2]

I am awake and my eyes are wide open and I totally agree with you! Obama has deceived millions of people but I'm not one of them! I'm very glad to read that you're not one either!

[veteran71]

by ladypirate2 August 8, 2009 1:43 AM EDT
I am awake and my eyes are wide open and I totally agree with you! Obama has deceived millions of people but I'm not one of them! I'm very glad to read that you're not one either!
************************************************************


Translation:

"I'm also mentally challenged"!!! "Want to hook up later"???
"Call 1-800-DRRRR"

[VincentNimoh]

Republicans: 0
Obama: 1

Congratulations to

[glaring_falsehoods]

To SpinningLiberals:

Your comment that Bush nominated an Hispanic to the supremes is inccorect

But, you got some of it correct ------ but those pesky details have always plagued conservatives. God, they are annoying, those facts.

First off, It was indeed a Bush who first had something to do with Sotomayor. But it was President George H.W. Bush ----- and he appointed Sotomayor to the federal bench.

Good try, though

[ahrats]

Spain tried to rule the world back in 14th century and now they have their wish the witch got in. Look out Whites and Blacks any one not from NEW YORK the NY court justice is now in power.

[ladypirate2]

by wogerwabbit August 6, 2009 10:20 PM EDT
I cry for our 4,000 soldiers and 100,000 or more innocent Iraqi's (or is it a million?) so lightly sacrificed in Bush's corporate oil war. I cry for our Constitution that Bush considered just a GD piece of paper (don't you remember that gem?). I cry for innocent people (and probably a few guilty, I'll admit) tortured even to death as has been documented in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions which the United States having signed became the law if the land. I cry for Americans like yourself who are so consumed by your right (wrong) wing politics that you forget that we're all Americans and love this country just as much (if not more) as you do. I cry about the republican party I was once a proud member of that has been hijacked by fascists intent on turning us into ignorant, misinformed servants of the rich and uncaring. Yes, abortion is a shame and abhorrent, but I'll not sell my soul or my country out for one issue (e.g. I love guns, I'm from western Virginia, but that's not all there is). ALL life is precious, not just the 'unborn' you're so consumed with and willing to kill for. Until you come to grips with the reality of the sacrifice of our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brother and sisters in an unjust war for profit, your words are empty and meaningless. Until your party stops trying to destroy our country so you can in your delusions rise from our ashes, I will fight you tooth and nail until you are just a bad memory. You are evil and narrow a minded moron and good people will prevail. I cry for you and pray for your soul, although I fear my prayers are in vain. Enjoy hell, sinner.



If Obama's HR 3200 health care bill passes you'll be crying for yourself the first time you need medical care and can't get it! If that thing passes you will see the hard way just who is destroying this country and who isn't! It's listed online! You should read it! I promise you, you will have a whole different outlook and opinion after you read it! You won't like what you read!