Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 16, 2009

Sotomayor Enters Final Day of Questioning
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=25600BC:A6F02AD83191E1601D6EE86C1F90B2A870AD7039DCD7B7E4&
 
Full US Senate to vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's
confirmation in August 
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor faces one more day of
questioning by U.S. Senators before clearing a major hurdle on her path
toward becoming the first Hispanic justice on the nation's highest
court. During the first two days of questioning before the Senate
Judiciary Committee, Sotomayor has managed to avoid getting her views
pinned down on controversial issues such as abortion and gun rights.
Sonia Sotomayor listens to Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., pictured on TV
screen, during testimony on Capitol Hill, 15 Jul 2009Minority
Republicans have asked tough questions about whether she has a racial or
left-wing bias. Sotomayor said her comments suggesting a "wise Latina"
might reach better decisions than a white man were misunderstood. She
repeatedly testified that she has always ruled in accordance with the
law. The full Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, is expected to
vote on Sotomayor's confirmation in August, well before the next Supreme
Court session begins in October. If confirmed, 55-year-old Sotomayor
would become the third woman to sit on the nine-member high court.
Sotomayor is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents and grew up in New
York public housing. She graduated at the top of her class at two
prestigious American universities: Princeton and Yale. She has been a
federal judge for 17 years.


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