More GOP Senate Reactions to Sotomayor
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) offered a short statement on the nomination Sonia Sotomayor. Below we'll have his remarks, as well as a running and constantly updated post including other members of the Senate.
McCain: "I congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her nomination by the President to be an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. I look forward to examining her record thoroughly during the Senate confirmation process."
Here are some more: Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Ensign (R-Nev.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), who's running for governor:
"While I celebrate Sonia Sotomayor's life story, I am troubled by some of her statements. Now that the president has nominated her, it's up to the Senate. She deserves a fair and respectful hearing. I look forward to a thorough process and to hearing more from her. I do have serious questions about her record and her judicial philosophy regarding how she views the role of the Court. In my view, the role of a justice is as an umpire, not a policy maker."
Sen. Kit Bond (R-Missouri), who's retiring: "I look forward to reviewing Judge Sotomayor's record and learning more from her hearings. Judge Sotomayor once said 'I don't believe that we should bend the Constitution under any circumstances,' I agree that is how judges should rule and I will expect her to continue that view."
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.):
"Without doubt, Judge Sotomayor's personal life story is truly inspiring. I congratulate her on being nominated. As the U.S. Senate begins the confirmation process, I look forward to looking closer at her recent rulings and her judicial philosophy."Of primary concern to me is whether or not Judge Sotomayor follows the proper role of judges and refrains from legislating from the bench. Some of her recent comments on this matter have given me cause for great concern. In the months ahead, it will be important for those of us in the U.S. Senate to weigh her qualifications and character as well as her ability to rule fairly without undue influence from her own personal race, gender, or political preferences."