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Sotomayor Senate hearing begins US Supreme Court nominee quizzed
(10 minutes later)
The US Senate has begun a hearing on whether to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as President Obama's choice to serve on the Supreme Court.The US Senate has begun a hearing on whether to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as President Obama's choice to serve on the Supreme Court.
Ms Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic to serve on the court if she is, as expected, confirmed in the post.Ms Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic to serve on the court if she is, as expected, confirmed in the post.
But Republican senators have indicated they will use the hearings to press her to explain past rulings and comments.But Republican senators have indicated they will use the hearings to press her to explain past rulings and comments.
These include her remark that a "wise Latina" could reach better legal conclusions than a white man.These include her remark that a "wise Latina" could reach better legal conclusions than a white man.
The hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee began at 1000 local time (1400GMT), with opening comments by the 12 Democratic and seven Republican senators.The hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee began at 1000 local time (1400GMT), with opening comments by the 12 Democratic and seven Republican senators.
Correspondents said the drama and tension at the meeting was palpable and the room was filled to capacity.Correspondents said the drama and tension at the meeting was palpable and the room was filled to capacity.
RISE OF SONIA SOTOMAYOR 1954: Born in South Bronx to Puerto Rican parentsFather died when she was aged nine and her mother raised her1979: Graduates from Yale and serves as an assistant district attorney in New York County1984: Moves into private practice, specialising in intellectual property1991: George Bush Snr chooses her as a district judge1997: Bill Clinton nominates her to the circuit court Profile: Sonia Sotomayor Sotomayor on the spotRISE OF SONIA SOTOMAYOR 1954: Born in South Bronx to Puerto Rican parentsFather died when she was aged nine and her mother raised her1979: Graduates from Yale and serves as an assistant district attorney in New York County1984: Moves into private practice, specialising in intellectual property1991: George Bush Snr chooses her as a district judge1997: Bill Clinton nominates her to the circuit court Profile: Sonia Sotomayor Sotomayor on the spot
In opening remarks, Sen Patrick Leahy who chairs the judiciary committee and is a supporter of Ms Sotomayor, described her as "committed to the law" and "not to ideology".
"She has been a judge for all Americans. She will be a justice for all Americans," he said.
"Let no-one demean this extraordinary woman."
Ms Sotomayor, 55, will make a statement that is expected to recall her personal story of growing up in a poor New York neighbourhood to Puerto Rican parents, going to law school and rising to become an appeals court judge.Ms Sotomayor, 55, will make a statement that is expected to recall her personal story of growing up in a poor New York neighbourhood to Puerto Rican parents, going to law school and rising to become an appeals court judge.
Senators are expected to begin questioning her on Tuesday in an attempt to find out more about her legal thinking. Both sides will also call witnesses.Senators are expected to begin questioning her on Tuesday in an attempt to find out more about her legal thinking. Both sides will also call witnesses.
Her critics have seized on some of her rulings, including one that white firefighters in Connecticut had not been unfairly denied promotions.Her critics have seized on some of her rulings, including one that white firefighters in Connecticut had not been unfairly denied promotions.
The Supreme Court last month overturned that decision, ruling by five votes to four that the firefighters had been unfairly discriminated against.The Supreme Court last month overturned that decision, ruling by five votes to four that the firefighters had been unfairly discriminated against.
Balance unalteredBalance unaltered
Some of Ms Sotomayor's remarks have also provoked controversy, in particular in 2001 when she said: "I would hope a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."Some of Ms Sotomayor's remarks have also provoked controversy, in particular in 2001 when she said: "I would hope a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."
Such comments, her critics say, suggest her decisions would stem from bias, empathy and emotion rather than strict interpretation of the law.Such comments, her critics say, suggest her decisions would stem from bias, empathy and emotion rather than strict interpretation of the law.
"She has criticised the idea that a woman and a man would reach the same result. She expects them to reach different results. I think that's philosophically incompatible with the American system," Sen Jeff Sessions, the senior Republican on the judiciary committee, told CBS television."She has criticised the idea that a woman and a man would reach the same result. She expects them to reach different results. I think that's philosophically incompatible with the American system," Sen Jeff Sessions, the senior Republican on the judiciary committee, told CBS television.
But Sen Patrick Leahy, who chairs the judiciary committee, insists that Ms Sotomayor is a "mainstream judge". But Sen Leahy has insisted that Ms Sotomayor is a "mainstream judge".
"She is a judge in which all Americans can have confidence. She has been a judge for all Americans and will be a justice for all Americans," he said.
Ms Sotomayor is expected to win confirmation to the nine-member Supreme Court that rules on key political and social issues, and is the final arbiter of the US constitution.Ms Sotomayor is expected to win confirmation to the nine-member Supreme Court that rules on key political and social issues, and is the final arbiter of the US constitution.
But as she would replace Justice David Souter, another liberal justice, the balance of the conservative-leaning court would not be significantly altered.But as she would replace Justice David Souter, another liberal justice, the balance of the conservative-leaning court would not be significantly altered.
She would, however, be not only the first Hispanic justice but only the third woman in the history of the court.She would, however, be not only the first Hispanic justice but only the third woman in the history of the court.