Senate Judiciary Committee Votes to Confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued a statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted - 13 to 6 - to move Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation process to the full Senate. The Senate is expected to debate the nomination next week. Sotomayor would be the Court’s first Hispanic justice and only it’s third woman.

Here’s an excerpt from Kaine’s statement:

“Throughout her hearings, Judge Sotomayor demonstrated why she is one of the most qualified candidates ever nominated to the Court. With experience as a prosecutor, a corporate litigator and a judge, she will bring more federal judicial experience than any justice in the 100 years. And her incredible life story is something all Americans can draw inspiration from. Every American should be proud today that the country is one step closer to having our first-ever Latina Supreme Court Justice.

“I want to congratulate Judge Sotomayor on this historic step and thank Chairman Leahy (D-VT) for his outstanding leadership. Despite the attempts of some Republicans to play politics with the Judge’s confirmation, the process remains on schedule so that Judge Sotomayor will be able to join her colleagues on the Court in early September.”