Iowa’s two U.S. Senators — Chuck Grassley, a Republican, and Tom Harkin, a Democrat — are floating party line stances in their first two statements regarding Pres. Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court.
“A lifetime appointment requires a thorough vetting, and I expect Judge Sotomayor to receive fair and deliberative consideration,” Grassley said in a statement released this morning. “The United States Senate has a responsibility to carefully review nominees to the Supreme Court. The Judiciary Committee should take time to ensure that the nominee will be true to the Constitution and apply the law, not personal politics, feelings or preferences. We need to ask tough questions to learn how this individual views the role of a Supreme Court justice. The last 25 years of Senate review of nominees has been entirely different than the first 200 years, and today the Senate can’t just be a rubber stamp for President Obama’s nominees.”
Harkin, in contrast, immediately stated that Sotomayor was “extremely qualified” for the post.
“She has the intellect and experiences necessary to serve on our nation’s highest Court,” Harkin said in his prepared statement. “In addition to nearly 17 years on the federal bench — having been appointed by both Presidents Bush and Clinton — she has unique life experiences that I believe are critical to ensure that the Court truly embodies the diversity of our country and understands how the law impacts ordinary Americans.
“I am confident that Judge Sotomayor will be an important voice on our Court for the rule of law and constitional rights and values. She will ensure equality and give proper effect to our most important statutes, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, so our most vulnerable citizens receive the fullest protections of the law.”
Sotomayor, who has served on the U.S. District Court and Federal Court of Appeals in New York, was labeled as an “inspiring woman” by President Obama during his announcement this morning. Democrats are quick to point out that she was nominated to the District Court by Pres. George H.W. Bush, but a bit more relucant to admit that the nomination was a compromise.
Obama is, however, holding true to his commitment to nominate someone — thankfully a woman — who has a compelling story and who can relate to individuals across the spectrum of nation.
Her parents came to New York from Puerto Rico during World War II. Her mother, a part of the Women’s Army Corps, began the hard work of single motherhood when Sotomayor was nine and the family experienced the untimely death of her father, a factory worker with only a third grade education. His death came only months after Sotomayor had been diagnosed with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. Her mother worked six days a week to provide for Sotomayor and her borther, who is now a doctor.
During the announcement this morning, Sotomayor introduced her mother, Celina Sotomayor, as an “extraordinary person who is my life aspiration.”
Sotomayor attended Princeton on a scholarship, and graduated from there at the top of her class. She was editor of the Yale Law School journal when she attended there, and later served as a prosecutor and commercial law litigator.
“Along the way she’s faced down barriers, overcome the odds, lived out the American Dream that brought her parents here so long ago,” Obama said during his announcement this morning. “And even as she has accomplished so much in her life, she has never forgotten where she began, never lost touch with the community that supported her. What Sonia will bring to the Court, then, is not only the knowledge and experience acquired over a brilliant legal career, but the wisdom accumulated from an inspiring life’s journey.”
Despite the breadth of that journey, Sotomayor said that she, as a child of the South Bronx neighborhood, still finds all of this a bit surreal.
“It is a daunting feeling to be here,” she said during this morning’s press conference. “Eleven years ago, during my confirmation process for appointment to the Second Circuit, I was given a private tour of the White House. It was an overwhelming experience for a kid from the South Bronx. Yet never in my wildest childhood imaginings did I ever envision this moment, let alone did I ever dream that I would live this moment.”
Senate confirmation requires 60 affirmative votes. Since the Democrats currently have 59 seats, Sotomayor’s confirmation is considered nearly a lock.
