SOTOMAYOR: First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice

SONIA SOTOMAYOR CONFIRMED

Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who rose from the housing projects of the Bronx to the top of the legal profession, made history Thursday when the Senate confirmed her to become the nation’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.

Sotomayor was easily confirmed in a 68-31 vote. Nine Republicans joined a unanimous Democratic caucus in supporting her nomination.

Earlier a key Senate panel had voted in favour of Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the US Supreme Court. The majority-Democrat Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to back Ms Sotomayor.

She is expected to be confirmed as the court’s first Hispanic justice next week. Her nomination has been vocally opposed by a chorus of Republicans who believe she is too liberal.

But it is said Ms Sotomayor is unlikely to alter the ideological balance on the court as she would replace retiring Justice David Souter, a liberal. The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of the US Constitution, and its nine members are given lifetime appointments, though they can voluntarily resign or retire.

It is called upon to rule on issues that spark some of the greatest controversy in US society – such as abortion, gun rights and national security issues.