archive
Law
Sotomayor Shies Away From Hot-Button Issues
July 15, 2009 From abortion and gun rights to gay marriage and assisted suicide, Judge Sonia Sotomayor on Wednesday repeatedly deflected questions on controversial issues from senators vetting her Supreme Court nomination.
Law
To Confirm Sotomayor, Yawn. Rinse. Repeat.
July 15, 2009 If Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee intended to finish off Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor's critics by inducing boredom — and many privately suggested that was the point — consider the mission accomplished, or just about.
Law
Sotomayor Differs With Obama On 'Empathy' Issue
July 14, 2009 Judge Sonia Sotomayor told senators Tuesday that she disagrees with the president's statement that "what is in the judge's heart" can be critical in some judicial decisions. "It's not the heart that compels conclusions in cases, it's the law," she said.
Law
In The Hot Seat, Sotomayor Is Model Of Judicial Cool
July 14, 2009 Sonia Sotomayor is known as a judge who doesn't hesitate to challenge lawyers. That straight-up judicial personality was on full display Tuesday. The Supreme Court nominee remained unflappable during a barrage of aggressive and persistent questions from Senate Republicans.
Law
Ghosts Of Nominees Past Haunt Sotomayor Hearing
July 13, 2009 As senators debated Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination Monday, some of them really seemed to be fighting old political battles over former judicial nominees — including Chief Justice Roberts.
Law
Opening Statement: Judge Sonia Sotomayor
July 13, 2009 Read the opening statement, as prepared for delivery, by Judge Sonia Sotomayor on the first day of her confirmation hearings to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Law
Sotomayor: 'Fidelity To The Law' Guides Me
July 13, 2009 Judge Sonia Sotomayor told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday that her experiences "help me listen and understand, with the law always commanding the result." Republicans raised concerns about her impartiality, while Democrats praised her years on the federal bench.
Law
Opening Statement: Sen. Jeff Sessions
July 13, 2009 Read the opening statement, as prepared for delivery, by Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican of the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the beginning of the confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Law
Opening Statement: Sen. Patrick Leahy
July 13, 2009 Read the opening statement, as prepared for delivery, by Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the beginning of the confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Law
Identity Politics Central To Sotomayor Hearings
July 12, 2009 Confirmation hearings begin Monday for Sonia Sotomayor, the Bronx-raised daughter of Puerto Ricans tapped for the Supreme Court. Her potent life story is appealing, but GOP senators are sure to question whether gender and ethnicity influence her too much.