Snowe Statement on Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Statement

Snowe Statement on Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor

U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) issued the following statement today on her meeting with Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor:

"I am deeply appreciative that Judge Sotomayor and I were able to meet today and have a meaningful conversation regarding her nomination to the United States Supreme Court. During our discussion, I found Judge Sotomayor to have a warm, engaging personality that complements her compelling life story and depth of experience.

"Judge Sotomayor is being asked to serve for life on the highest Court in the land, with the ability to shape American society for decades to come. It is my job, as a U.S. Senator, to ensure that she - or anyone who is nominated to the Supreme Court - is properly qualified for this monumental task. I feel it extremely important that the Senate execute a thorough vetting of her record prior to a vote; failing to do so would be a disservice to our constitutional duties.

"During our meeting, we discussed her judicial philosophy and view of constitutional interpretation - how she approaches each case, the factors she considers in weighing close issues of law and fact, and how she addresses challenges to legal precedent. Indeed, a Supreme Court Justice, unlike a circuit judge, is not bound to automatically follow existing precedent, but can vote to alter or overturn it. As I told Judge Sotomayor, throughout this confirmation process I will apply the same standards to her as I have to previous nominees - reviewing thoroughly her reputation for intelligence, professional integrity and judicial temperament, and examining her extensive written opinions and other publications.

"I look forward to the upcoming confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, when Judge Sotomayor's record and qualifications - for a lifetime appointment to the most prestigious court in the nation - will be explored in depth."

Last month, Senator Snowe urged President Obama to nominate a woman during a private meeting in the Oval Office and then followed up on the suggestion with a letter jointly signed by Senator Barbara Boxer. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel called Senator Snowe to personally inform the Senator of the President's decision to nominate Judge Sotomayor to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court prior to the official announcement last Tuesday.

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