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United States United States Sotomayor in the limelight: Supreme Court nominee before US Senate
United States United States Sotomayor in the limelight: Supreme Court nominee before US Senate
| Sotomayor in the limelight: Supreme Court nominee before US Senate |
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| Written by Sheetal Mehta |
| Monday, 13 July 2009 16:43 |
 Washington - Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic woman ever nominated to the US Supreme Court, confronted accusations from conservatives that she could not be an impartial judge during a confirmation hearing Monday before the US Senate.Kicking off a week-long hearing before the Senate's Judiciary Committee, Democratic senators defended Sotomayor's record as a moderate, left-leaning judge with a wealth of experience in the legal profession. Republican senators slammed Sotomayor's beliefs as outside the legal mainstream, arguing she has allowed her personal beliefs and background, rather than the letter of the law, to influence how she decides legal cases. Sotomoyor, who was nominated by President Barack Obama to the highest US court in May, is expected to be easily confirmed by the Senate, where Democrats hold a 60-seat majority. Democratic Senator Charles Schumer argued Sotomayor was "supremely well- qualified" and said her career "shows that she is in the mainstream." He pointed to her 11 years as a judge on an appeals court in New York and her past as a lawyer and prosecutor. But the week-long hearings were expected to be a divisive affair. Many Republicans have opposed the nomination. "No Republican would have chosen you, Judge Sotomayor. That's just the way it is," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. But added "unless you have a complete meltdown you're gonna get confirmed." The debate over Sotomayor has exposed deep divisions over the role of race in US law and society. Sotomayor has been unapologetic about the importance that her background and ethnicity play in decision making, arguing judges should have no illusions over how they are influenced by their past. Conservatives have criticized those comments, arguing she will not be impartial and would favour minority groups. "I will not vote for, and no senator should vote for, an individual nominated by any president who believes it is acceptable for a judge to allow their personal background, gender, prejudices or sympathies to sway their decision in favour of or against parties before the court," said Senator Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the committee. Republican Senator Jon Kyl argued her views - and those of Obama - were "simply outside the mainstream."(dpa) |