Sotomayor Hearings Begin

Posted by noah on July 13, 2009 under Preparing for Midterm Elections 2010 | Read the First Comment

Judge Sotomayor

We don’t vote for supreme court judges, but the president we elect has the power to appoint them. And the senators we elect confirm them, so our voices are heard indirectly. Not every president has the opportunity to appoint a supreme court justice, but President Obama recently nominated Sonia Sotomayor to take Justice David Souter’s place since he has decided to retire.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings began today. The senate Judiciary committee, called to order by Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, met for the first time this morning to discuss the confirmation of the 55 year old judge.

She was born to a Puerto Rican family, and grew up in a public housing project in the South Bronx. Some say that Sonia Sotomayor “lived The American Dream.” If confirmed, she would be the third woman, and first Hispanic to serve on the United States Supreme Court.

The hearings are expected to last no more than a week, with time for an opening statement from the nominee, and possibly two days or more of questioning from senators. The last step in her confirmation is a vote by the full Senate, which has not been scheduled yet.

If you would like to find out more about Judge Sonia Sotomayor, you might find the following link helpful.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/01/sonia-sotomayor-supreme-c_n_194470.html

So, if you’re a Virgin Voter, are you following the Sotomayor confirmation hearings? What do you think of Judge Sotomayor? What’s your opinion? Comment here, or send me a message on Twitter.com/virginvoting.

Embedded video from CNN Video

Nick said,

Judge Sotomayor is definitely qualified for the job. Her background is definitely unique for a Supreme Court Justice. It’s nice to see someone being nominated that’s not an old white male. Hopefully she can being some more diversity to our stagnant court. She has said some comments I found questionable and a little cocky in the days leading up to her conformation, but nothing too severe.

I do think our senators should continue to question her on her agenda as a judge. After all she is being nominated for an important job in our checks and balance system. If she is unbiased and constitutional on the bench, then I welcome our first Hispanic justice!