Video of Sotomayor Watch Parties
By MALDEF on 08/07/2009 @ 04:53 PM
CBS Evening News - A Latina Role Model
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5221743n
NBC Today - Sotomayor Confirmed in Historic Vote
Senate Makes History By Confirming Sotomayor
By on 08/06/2009 @ 06:22 PM
WASHINGTON, DC – Latino leaders from across the U.S. join Hispanics for a Fair Judiciary (HFJ) in a celebration of today’s 68-31 vote by the U.S. Senate to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. She will be the first Hispanic and only the third woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.
Sotomayor will start her service on the Supreme Court with more federal judicial experience than any Justice in the past century and will be the only Justice on the court with experience as a prosecutor. Her nomination attracted support from a wide range of organizations in law enforcement, civil rights, business, labor and the professional legal community, including the American Bar Association, which gave Sotomayor its highest rating. Despite all this, three quarters of Republican Senators opposed her historic nomination.
“Sonia Sotomayor is the product of dreams, perseverance, and determination. Her story is America’s story and her accomplishments are a reflection of what we can do in this country. From humble beginnings to the highest court in the United States, Sonia Sotomayor, with the help of a dedicated single mother and confidence in hard work now stands before the United States as the newest Supreme Court Justice,” said Ramona Romero, President of the Hispanic National Bar Association.
"Justice Sotomayor's eminent qualifications and wise committee testimony shattered a glass ceiling today. This tremendous accomplishment is only marred by the fact that so many senators chose to elevate partisanship and political pandering over principle by voting against her confirmation. History -- and the fast-growing community of Latino voters -- will judge these senators harshly,” said Tom Saenz, incoming President and General Counsel of MALDEF.
“The U.S. Senate deserves applause for recognizing Judge Sotomayor's record of excellence and strong integrity. Her achievements in her life and career, against the many odds that were stacked against her, epitomize the strength of the American spirit. As a Supreme Court Justice, she will rule fairly and effectively, and provide a role model for generations to come,” said David C. Lizarraga, Chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “The fact that so many from one party were reluctant to recognize Judge Sotomayor's impressive qualifications will be something our community is likely to remember.”
“Throughout her distinguished career, Judge Sotomayor has combined a profound respect for the rule of law with careful and thoughtful analysis of the law’s impact on the day-to-day realities of our diverse nation. Judge Sotomayor will now have the opportunity to demonstrate these qualities as an Associate Justice. We congratulate her as she moves forward to shape decisions that will have a fundamental and lasting impact on America’s future. We are deeply proud of the progress her confirmation represents for our community and the entire nation,” said NALEO Board President Sylvia Garcia.
''August 6, 2009 marks a watershed moment for this great nation and it is a date that will quickly take hold in the memories of millions of Hispanic Americans of all ages and backgrounds. History was made today and our country will be the better for it,'' stated NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía.
“This is a historic and positive day for all Americans,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “Judge Sotomayor puts the law first and received the highest rating from the American Bar Association. However, the Hispanic community is disappointed in the lack of Republican support for this nominee. This vote matters and will have long term consequences at the ballot box. The Republican party opposition is concerning and raises serious questions.”
“This is a very emotional moment for us and for the people we serve,” said Cesar Perales, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF. “When we started what was then the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund to protect the civil liberties of Latinos over 37 years ago, we would never have imagined that some day we would have one of our own on the nation’s highest court.”
“I am pleased and proud to congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States; this is a landmark day for women and for Latinos alike. Judge Sotomayor was preeminently qualified for this position and I am pleased with the bipartisan support she was able to amass. As Chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus for the Texas House of Representatives, I am disappointed that both Texas Senators chose to ignore her stellar record and judicial temperament to appease extreme factions within their own party. The symbolism of their rejection of the first Latino Supreme Court justice will undoubtedly be felt by the largest growing demographic of Texans that is sure to linger long after this historic achievement in our nation's rich history,” said Texas State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer, Chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.
“In Sotomayor, President Obama selected a well-qualified and experienced judge and the XX Senators who have voted to confirm Judge Sotomayor have rightfully seized upon a tremendous opportunity to make history by bringing the Hispanic community into the exclusive chambers of the highest court in the land. As CEO and President of Democracia Ahora a Hispanic advocacy group, and it's sister organization, Democracia USA, the most successful Hispanic voter registration program in the country, I am so pleased that President Obama and many members of the U.S. Senate have acknowledged the contributions of our community in word, but more importantly, in deed,” stated Jorge Mursuli, CEO and President of Democracia Ahora.
“Today’s historic vote by the U.S. Senate to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court proves that the American Dream is alive and well. A woman of great talent was able to lift herself from poverty and other challenges to become a stellar jurist and now a member of our nation’s highest court,” said Kansas State Representative Delia Garcia. “The only frustrating note about today’s vote is that so many Republicans chose to cast their vote based on rhetoric and distortions rather than Judge Sotomayor’s long record of upholding the law and our constitution.”
“Today we are witnessing history in the making, and Latinos and all Americans should be proud of the new page of history we have turned with Justice Sotomayor's confirmation,” said Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti. “Her journey to the bench embodies the very values upon which our country was founded, including the idea that anyone can achieve anything with a little ambition and a lot of hard work. It's a great day for our nation.”
“The Senate confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor heralds a new era of diversity in our courts. Judge Sotomayor offers inspiration for Latinas as her confirmation has challenged stereotypes and demonstrated the growing political power of the Latino community,” said Silvia Henriquez, executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.
Judge Sonia Sotomayor is expected to be sworn-in within the week, giving her sufficient time to participate in the Supreme Court’s September deliberations about which cases it will review during its new session beginning in October.
Judge Sotomayor's Confirmation is a Victory for the Country and the High Court
By MALDEF on 08/06/2009 @ 04:07 PM
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Judge Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed by a vote of 68 to 31 in the U.S. Senate. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the nation’s leading Latino civil rights organization, joins millions around the country in celebrating Sotomayor’s confirmation by the Senate to serve as the first Hispanic Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz stated, “Justice Sotomayor’s eminent qualifications and wise committee testimony shattered a glass ceiling today. This tremendous accomplishment is only marred by the fact that so many senators chose to elevate partisanship and political pandering over principle by voting against her confirmation. History – and the fast-growing community of Latino voters – will judge these senators harshly.”
The recent confirmation hearings underscored that Judge Sotomayor is known to closely study the facts of each case, apply legal theories through careful and considered deliberation and issue even-handed rulings. Sotomayor’s 17-year judicial record and Senate testimony demonstrate an unwavering dedication to these principles. Unsurprisingly, her nomination garnered unyielding and widespread support from law enforcement groups, lawyers, jurists and academia.
“It is with great pride and admiration that MALDEF and the Hispanic community welcomes the confirmation of the first Hispanic to serve on the Supreme Court. She is a champion of the ideals to which we all can aspire, namely a strong work ethic and a commitment to public service,” stated Claudine Karasik, MALDEF Legislative Staff Attorney.
Over the years, it has become increasingly important for our courts to reflect the growing Latino presence in this country. MALDEF thanks President Obama and the members of the U.S. Senate for their leadership in choosing a highly qualified and dedicated public servant to serve our country. Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation reflects the commitment of our nation’s leaders to promote the legitimacy of the judicial system and secure our community’s trust and confidence in the courts.
Senator Menendez, Hispanic Groups Urge Republicans to Support Sotomayor
By on 08/06/2009 @ 10:07 AM
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Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and leaders of several major Latino organizations that have endorsed Judge Sotomayors nomination discussed the significance of Judge Sotomayors impending confirmation to the Hispanic community in the U.S. and urged Republicans to support her confirmation to the Supreme Court.
C-SPAN Tracks Senate Support for Sotomayor Nomination
By on 07/30/2009 @ 06:24 PM
Click on the image above to get a real-time at which Senators have pledged support for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, those who have pledged opposition, and those still "Undecided."
Senate Committee Endorses Sotomayor
By on 07/28/2009 @ 10:21 PM
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Washington Post
By Amy Goldstein and Robert Barnes
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Senate committee endorsed Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Tuesday in a vote that splintered nearly along party lines, signaling that Republicans will not hesitate to oppose the first Hispanic nominee to the nation's highest court when the full Senate decides whether to confirm her next week.
Only one Republican, Lindsey O. Graham of South Carolina, joined the Senate Judiciary Committee's dozen Democrats in supporting Sotomayor. The six GOP senators who stood against her included two from states with heavy Hispanic populations and two veteran senators who had never before voted against a Supreme Court nominee.
Republicans and Democrats alike said that in a Senate with a heavy Democratic majority that is united solidly behind her, Sotomayor's confirmation is virtually assured.
Graham to Support Sotomayor
By on 07/22/2009 @ 05:21 AM
(L-R) Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen.Tom Coburn (R-OK) watch as Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor testifies on the third day of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2009 in Washington, DC.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said that he would support the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court justice, becoming the fifth Republican to do so. Mr. Graham endorsed Judge Sotomayor just minutes after Jon Kyl of Arizona, the second-ranking Senate Republican, said he would vote against her. Senators Graham and Kyl are members of the Judiciary Committee, which is scheduled to vote on her nomination Tuesday. The Republicans who earlier endorsed Judge Sotomayor are Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Mel Martinez of Florida and Richard G. Lugar of Indiana.
Sotomayor Responds to Questions for the Record
By on 07/21/2009 @ 03:33 PM
Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has answered the final round of questions, this time submitted in written form, from five Republican senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee. You can view PDFs of the senators' questions and Sotomayor's answers on the Senate Judiciary website. For your convenience, we picked out a few of her answers that we found notable:
Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK):
Under what circumstances do you think racial preferences are unconstitutional?
When do you think they are in violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
What do you think are compelling reasons to engage in racial preferences or bias?
Sotomayor: Governmental use of racial classifications violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment unless the classifications are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest. The Supreme Court has identified several governmental interests that are sufficiently compelling to permit racial classifications, including remedying the effects of past discrimination, see, e.g., Wygant v. Jackson Board of Education, 476 U.S. 267, 274 (1986), and securing the benefits that flow from a diverse student body in the context of higher education, see, e.g., Grutter v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306, 330 (2003); Gratz v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 244, 268 (2003). In addition, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, including both intentional discrimination and, in certain situations, practices that have a disproportionately adverse effect on minorities even though they may not be intended to discriminate in fact. See, e.g., Griggs v. Duke Power Co., 401 U.S. 424, 436 (1971).
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA):
Do you support maintaining “settled” law? What if a case becomes “unsettled” or refined by subsequent rulings? Is it possible that a time could be reached when the entire decision should be overruled?
Sotomayor: The Supreme Court’s precedents are entitled to stare decisis effect. The doctrine of stare decisis promotes evenhandedness, fairness, consistency, predictability, and reliability. The Court, however, has made clear that stare decisis is not an inexorable command. In some circumstances, the Court will revisit its prior precedent. The Court has set forth factors it uses to decide when to do so. Those factors include: whether the prior precedent has proved workable as it has been applied by the lower courts; whether society has come to rely on the Court’s decisions in the area of law at issue; whether developments in related areas of the law have undermined the value of the prior precedent; whether the factual premises underlying the prior precedent have changed since the prior case was decided; and whether the Court has reaffirmed the prior case.
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL):
The Supreme Court in the Boumedienne case indicated, as a part of the multi-factor test for determining whether constitutional habeas was available to certain alien enemy combatants held outside the United State, that one of the factors to consider, both as a threshold matter for ascertaining whether the habeas applies at all and how it applies, were the practical difficulties caused by this application. Please explain what types of practical difficulties it would be appropriate to consider for purposes of this analysis...:
Sotomayor: The Supreme Court in Boumediene v. Bush, 128 S.Ct. 2229 (2008), held that “aliens designated as enemy combatants and detained at the United States Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba” are “entitled to the privilege of habeas corpus to challenge the legality of their detention.” Id. at 2240, 2262. In reaching that conclusion, the Court said that “at least three factors are relevant in determining the reach of the Suspension Clause: (1) the citizenship and status of the detainee and the adequacy of the process through which that status determination was made; (2) the nature of the sites where apprehension and then detention took place; and (3) the practical obstacles inherent in resolving the prisoner’s entitlement to the writ.” Id. at 2259. Whether and how those factors should be applied, including the extent to which the courts should defer to the Executive Branch’s views about certain “practical obstacles,” are questions currently before the lower courts in cases involving the detention of certain individuals at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. These cases could well come before the Supreme Court, and so I would not address the scope or application of the Boumediene factors in this context.
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