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US top court nominee faces Senate Supreme Court nominee states case
(about 3 hours 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. Sonia Sotomayor has stated her case for a place on the US Supreme Court to the Senate, saying her judicial philosophy is "fidelity to the law".
Ms Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic to serve on the court if she is, as expected, confirmed in the post. The nominee said during her 17 years as a federal judge she had sought to serve the interests of "impartial justice".
But Republican senators have indicated they will use the hearings to press her to explain past rulings and comments. Ms Sotomayor - nominated by President Barack Obama - will be the first Hispanic to serve on the court if she is, as expected, confirmed in the post.
Some Republican senators want 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 with opening comments by the 12 Democratic and seven Republican senators. 'Extraordinary woman'
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. Ms Sotomayor, 55, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that 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 - was "uniquely American".
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. She paid tribute to her mother - sat behind her in the hearing - who she said had instilled in her the values of working hard and getting a good education.
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". And she spoke of her experiences - big city prosecutor, corporate litigator, trial and appelate judge.
"She has been a judge for all Americans. She will be a justice for all Americans," he said. Seeking to counter criticism from Republicans that her personal or political views would influence her decisions, Judge Sotomayor said her judicial philosophy is simple: "Fidelity to the law".
"Let no-one demean this extraordinary woman." "The task of a judge is not to make law - it is to apply the law," she said.
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. In particular, they are likely to ask about one case in which she ruled 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.
Confirmation hearings for a new Supreme Court justice provide one of Washington's most imposing pieces of political theatre, correspondents say.
The hearings began with opening comments by the 12 Democratic and seven Republican senators.
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.
"Let no-one demean this extraordinary woman."
Sen 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]."
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 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
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."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."
Fellow Republican Charles Grassley, senator for Iowa, said Mr Obama had nominated Judge Sotomayor for the wrong reasons.Fellow Republican Charles Grassley, senator for Iowa, said Mr Obama had nominated Judge Sotomayor for the wrong reasons.
"President Obama's empathy standard appears to encourage judges to make use of their personal politics, feelings and preferences."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." "This is contrary to what most of us understand to be the role of the judiciary."
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.
The hearing was briefly disrupted by shouts from two anti-abortion protesters, who were removed from the room.The hearing was briefly disrupted by shouts from two anti-abortion protesters, who were removed from the room.
Other anti-abortion protesters rallied outside the building.Other anti-abortion protesters rallied outside the building.