A joint project tracking federal judicial nominations and courts.
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 Senator Statements
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Sen. Leahy Comment on Supreme Court’s Decision In Ricci v. DeStefano
(Democrat - Vermont)
06/29/09
"Judge Sotomayor and the lower court panel did what judges are supposed to do, they followed precedent. It is notable that four justices would have upheld the Second Circuit’s ruling, including the retiring Justice Souter, who Judge Sotomayor is nominated to replace."
Merkley Statement on Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor
(Democrat - Oregon)
06/25/09
“I had a productive conversation with Judge Sotomayor and came away very impressed by her intellect and dedication to the law. She is very personable with a compelling history and wide judicial experience. I look forward to her upcoming hearings and learning more about her approach to the law.”
Risch Reserves Opinion After Meeting Supreme Court Justice Nominee
(Republican - Idaho)
06/25/09
"I have strong reservations about this nominee. I was eager to meet with her to learn more about her judicial philosophy and how she looks at issues important to Idahoans, but in a 30-minute conversation, it's hard to learn as much as one needs when considering a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. Over the next few weeks, I will continue to review her judicial opinions, other writings and speeches as well as her testimony in the upcoming hearing before making a final decision on how I will vote. The cases heard by the Supreme Court directly relate to an interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is critical a nominee to this high court has a deep appreciation for, is well-versed in and has a profound understanding of these foundational documents of our country. In addition, as a former prosecutor, I value a judge who interprets the law and does not try to legislate-create new law-from the bench. It is not about their own passions and beliefs, but a fair application of the law."
Harkin meets with Judge Sonia Sotomayor at the Capitol
(Democrat - Iowa)
06/24/09
“I was very impressed with Judge Sotomayor,” Harkin said after the meeting. “We had a very productive meeting. Her credentials, experience and her uniquely American story make clear that she is qualified and ready for this job. I think she will be a fair and impartial Justice of the Supreme Court, and I hope the Senate votes to confirm her before the August recess.”
Sen. Schumer Floor Statement on Supreme Court nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor
(Democrat - New York)
06/23/09
"To recognize the role of personal experience is simply to acknowledge that in the art and science of interpreting the Constitution and laws of our country we have to ask ourselves the following questions: Do we trust more the decisions of judges who, as I have said before, have ice water in their veins, who view their role as stripping themselves of their pasts and ruling in a vacuum, free of human experience and common sense, or do we trust more the decisions of judges who acknowledge and address their own life experiences even while striving always to be fair and within the law--as Judge Sotomayor herself has said?"
Corker Meets with Sotomayor
(Republican - Tennessee)
06/23/09
“Judge Sotomayor is a testament to the power of a strong work ethic and a focus on education and a role model to many Americans as a result,” said Corker. “I enjoyed meeting with her today and found her to be very intelligent and eloquent in expressing her thoughts. I did raise some concerns in the meeting and let her know I’m reserving judgment on her nomination until the conclusion of a fair and thorough hearings process.”
Johnson Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor
(Democrat - South Dakota)
06/23/09
"I was pleased today to meet face-to-face with Judge Sonia Sotomayor. She has proven herself to be an impressive individual well within the mainstream judicial thought. Judge Sotomayor’s career as a distinguished jurist spanning over three decades makes her uniquely qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. ... Her breadth of experience has well prepared her, and I look forward to learning more about her as the nomination process continues and hearings get underway."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: A New Yorker for the Supreme Court
(Democrat - New York)
06/23/09
"In Judge Sotomayor, we have a jurist whose life experience allows her to understand, respect, and connect with the people whose lives will be affected by the Court. ...it's clear to me after having met Judge Sotomayor, as I had the privilege to do a couple weeks ago, and after having looked at the quality of her record, that Judge Sotomayor will, first and foremost, be a fierce advocate for the rule of law on the court....I urge my Senate colleagues to grant Judge Sotomayor the swift and respectful confirmation she deserves."
Wicker Statement on Judge Sonia Sotomayor
(Republican - Mississippi)
06/23/09
" had a cordial meeting with Judge Sonia Sotomayor. We discussed her judicial philosophy and her record on topics such as the Second Amendment and abortion,” said Sen. Wicker. “I remain deeply concerned by her appointment but will reserve a final judgment until after the Senate has a full, fair, and vigorous debate on her nomination."
Sanders impressed with Sotomayor
(Independent - Vermont)
06/19/09
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. met with Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor and said he had “good, positive feelings,” about the Bronx-born jurist. ...he questioned Sotomayor about her views on how to protect civil liberties for citizens while allowing the government the leeway to pursue clandestine terrorists who might threaten the country.... “At this point, she impresses me as someone who is a strong advocate for constitutional rights and the rule of law,” Sanders said. “I wanted to get her views on how you protect constitutional rights while you are fighting terrorism. That’s a tough balance.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski presses Sotomayor about past remarks
(Republican - Alaska)
06/18/09
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Thursday she was pleased to hear Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor say she "looks to the law first" when making legal decisions, but the Alaska Republican also said she remains undecided on whether she will vote to confirm .... she talked about that at some length, about how who we are allows you to have certain antennae that listen. That kinds of sensitize you to issues. It doesn't direct you to make decisions one way or another, but allows for a series of antennas, which was the word she used."
Murkowski said she thought Sotomayor's response was instructive in learning how the nominee comes to decisions on the cases in front of her.
"My initial reaction coming from this meeting is that she is a very thoughtful woman, clearly very learned," Murkowski said.
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