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Statement of Senator Feinstein as Senate Judiciary Committee Votes on Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor as Next Supreme Court Justice

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today praised Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, saying she “has been an impressive judge” and “will be an impressive member” of the nation’s highest court,  before casting a “yes” vote to report Judge Sotomayor’s nomination to the full U.S. Senate.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 in favor of Judge Sotomayor’s nomination. The full Senate is expected to vote next week.

Following are Senator Feinstein’s remarks as delivered:
      
“Mr. Chairman, thank you for conducting these hearings in the way in which they were held. It’s very much appreciated.

Mr. Chairman it’s interesting to me to hear the comments of those who clearly will not vote for this judge. For me, I look at her very differently. I see her as a most impressive person on a number of different levels.

First, in terms of personal history, it is truly impressive. It is everything our country is all about. Secondly, in terms of qualifications, she has more qualifications for this job than virtually any of the prior four nominees that I have heard as a member of this committee: 29 ½ years in the law. Prosecutor, private practitioner.

Appointed to the federal court--first by a Republican president, secondly, by a Democratic president.

And the analysis of her record by the Congressional Research Service says a very interesting thing: 'Perhaps the most consistent characteristic of [her] approach as an appellate judge has been an adherence to the doctrine of stare decisis,' or precedence.

I think this woman has done a splendid job. She has shown a dedication to the law. This has been tested and tested. She has shown before us judicial temperament. This has been probed and picked at. I find no example of infidelity to the law.

I found no example of her not following precedent. For me, as a woman, to see this woman overcome the barriers that she has overcome, to have the education that she has had, to do with it what she has done, and to bring her kind of dedication and personality to this table was truly impressive.

I believe she has been an impressive judge. I believe she has been an impressive lawyer and I believe she will be an impressive member of the highest court of this land. I will vote for her with enormous pride. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

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