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US top court nominee faces Senate US top court nominee faces Senate
(29 minutes later)
The US Senate has begun a hearing on whether to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as President Barack Obama's choice to serve on the Supreme Court.The US Senate has begun a hearing on whether to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as President Barack 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 with opening comments by the 12 Democratic and seven Republican senators.
Confirmation hearings for a new Supreme Court justice provide one of Washington's most imposing pieces of political theatre, correspondents say, with the drama and tension at this meeting palpable. Confirmation hearings for a new Supreme Court justice provide one of Washington's most imposing pieces of political theatre, correspondents say, with the drama and tension palpable.
Judge Sotomayor took her place in a crowded committee room, facing the massed ranks of senators from the judiciary committee who will decide her fate.Judge Sotomayor took her place in a crowded committee room, facing the massed ranks of senators from the judiciary committee who will decide her fate.
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 committee and is a supporter of Ms Sotomayor, described her as "committed to the law" and "not to ideology".In opening remarks, Sen Patrick Leahy who chairs the 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."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.""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.
Most previous Supreme Court nominees have tried to negotiate tricky hearings by saying as little as possible on controversial subjects - and that is one precedent Judge Sotomayor is certain to follow, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington.Most previous Supreme Court nominees have tried to negotiate tricky hearings by saying as little as possible on controversial subjects - and that is one precedent Judge Sotomayor is certain to follow, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington.
Her critics have seized on some of her rulings, including one that white firefighters in Connecticut had not been unfairly denied promotions. Senator Lindsey Graham told Judge Sotomayor: "Unless you have a complete meltdown, you're going to get confirmed."
He quickly added: "And I don't think you will" have a meltdown.
Judge Sotomayor's 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.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES 'Wise Latina': Ms Sotomayor said a wise Latina could reach a better conclusion than a white maleDiscrimination: Her ruling that white Connecticut firefighters were not discriminated against was overturned by the Supreme CourtEmpathy: President Obama said he wanted someone with empathy on the court, but critics say empathy has no place in lawCONTROVERSIAL ISSUES 'Wise Latina': Ms Sotomayor said a wise Latina could reach a better conclusion than a white maleDiscrimination: Her ruling that white Connecticut firefighters were not discriminated against was overturned by the Supreme CourtEmpathy: President Obama said he wanted someone with empathy on the court, but critics say empathy has no place in 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. Sen Jeff Sessions, the senior Republican on the judiciary committee, said: "I will not vote for, and no senator should vote for, an individual nominated by any president who is not fully committed to fairness and impartiality."
Later at the Senate hearing, Sen Sessions said: "I will not vote for, and no senator should vote for, an individual nominated by any president who is not fully committed to fairness and impartiality." Fellow Republican Charles Grassley, senator for Iowa, said Mr Obama had nominated Judge Sotomayor for the wrong reasons.
But Sen Leahy has insisted that Ms Sotomayor is a "mainstream judge". "President Obama's empathy standard appears to encourage judges to make use of their personal politics, feelings and preferences.
"This is contrary to what most of us understand to be the role of the judiciary. President Obama clearly believes that you measure up to his empathy standard. That worries me."
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.