Supreme Court – News Stories About Supreme Court - Page 83

Confirmation hearings

Jul 14, 2009 12:11 PM CDT

Sotomayor: Roe v. Wade Is 'Settled Law'

(Newser) - Questioning is under way on Day 2 of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, and there has already been much talk of New Haven firefighters and wise Latina women. Asked about that infamous quote early on, Sotomayor replied, “I want to state upfront, unequivocally… I do not believe that any racial...

She's Catholic, Too, You Know

OPINION

Jul 14, 2009 11:02 AM CDT

She's Catholic, Too, You Know

There's zero scrutiny of Sotomayor's religion because she's pro-choice

(Newser) - Sonia Sotomayor would be the sixth Catholic on the Supreme Court, but that’s getting relatively little attention because of a political double-standard, writes William McGurn of the Wall Street Journal. When Samuel Alito was the nominee du jour, Democrats worried that he’d be the fifth Catholic. But they’...

Beck Complains About Softball Questions for Sotomayor ...

Jul 14, 2009 8:19 AM CDT

Beck Complains About Softball Questions for Sotomayor ...

... except nobody asked nominee any yesterday

(Newser) - Someone might need to explain this whole confirmation-hearings process to Glenn Beck. Last night, the Fox host railed against the softball questions senators were tossing Sonia Sotomayor. “As our country burns to the ground, this is the questioning—and get ready, it’s a hard line of questioning” the...

Hey GOP:
'White Male'
Is an Identity, Too

OPINION

Jul 14, 2009 5:50 AM CDT

Hey GOP: 'White Male' Is an Identity, Too

(Newser) - Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation is in the bag, but this week's hearings have a real value, writes Eugene Robinson: They are exposing the Republican Party's "refusal to accept the basic principle of diversity." For the Washington Post columnist, the anger surrounding the judge's "wise Latina" remark rests...

GOP Attacks on 'Empathy' During Hearings' First Day

ANALYSIS

Jul 13, 2009 4:58 PM CDT

GOP Attacks on 'Empathy' During Hearings' First Day

Republicans stake out a position against judicial 'empathy'

(Newser) - With Republicans unlikely to be able to block Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, it seems they’ve settled for drawing a stark contrast between President Obama’s philosophy of law and their own, writes Andrew Cohen for CBS News. During statements today, GOP senators repeatedly attacked Obama’s comments that “...

Sotomayor Pledges
'Fidelity to the Law'

Jul 13, 2009 2:37 PM CDT

Sotomayor Pledges 'Fidelity to the Law'

(Newser) - After listening to senators air their issues for most of the day, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor finally got the microphone at the end of her confirmation hearing today, telling senators she would serve the “larger interest of impartial justice," the AP reports. Sotomayor also took an...

Sen. Franken Debuts in
Sotomayor Hearings

Jul 13, 2009 2:23 PM CDT

Sen. Franken Debuts in Sotomayor Hearings

(Newser) - The voice was Stuart Smalley, but the occasion was no joke, and Sen. Al Franken, on his fifth day in office, was sober and respectful as he made his public debut during Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings today. Franken said deferentially that he had much to learn from his colleagues, and...

Senators Duke It Out
at Sotomayor Hearing

UPDATED

Jul 13, 2009 9:52 AM CDT

Senators Duke It Out at Sotomayor Hearing

(Newser) - Sonia Sotomayor has wrapped up the first session of what promises to be a successful but contentious confirmation process. Patrick Leahy opened today's hearing by expressing hope Sotomayor would be spared racial attacks. “She has been a judge for all Americans,” the Senate Judiciary Committee chair said. “...

Six Things to Watch
at Sotomayor Hearings

ANALYSIS

Jul 13, 2009 8:21 AM CDT

Six Things to Watch at Sotomayor Hearings

(Newser) - The White House is working hard to ensure an easy confirmation for Sonia Sotomayor, with John Roberts' perfect-10 testimony as a model. Will she sail through? Politico lists six things to watch.

That 'wise Latina' remark. Republicans are obsessed with it, and she needs to explain it without sounding phony.

...

Both Parties Will Use
Sotomayor to Push Agendas

Jul 13, 2009 7:22 AM CDT

Both Parties Will Use Sotomayor to Push Agendas

Parties hope to inspire support through questioning

(Newser) - Nobody expects Sonia Sotomayor to have serious trouble winning confirmation to the Supreme Court; the hearings that start today will be battles for American hearts and minds, with both parties seeing them as an opportunity to position themselves on key issues, the Washington Post reports. Aiming to ignite their base,...

GOP Unsure How Big of a Brawl It Wants

ANALYSIS

Jul 12, 2009 1:26 PM CDT

GOP Unsure How Big of a Brawl It Wants

Sotomayor battle could be jolt the party needs —or invite backlash

(Newser) - To fight, or not to fight—that is the question for the fractious GOP on the matter of Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination, and one that may not be easy to answer. On the one hand, taking a united stand against the Democratic nominee could energize the Republican base and...

Princeton Adviser Recalls Sotomayor's Grade-A Thesis

Jul 12, 2009 9:20 AM CDT

Princeton Adviser Recalls Sotomayor's Grade-A Thesis

Not 'best student', but the 'most transformed'

(Newser) - Count Sonia Sotomayor's Princeton thesis adviser among her strongest supporters to reach the Supreme Court. Peter Winn, writing in the Washington Post, recalls that her judicial skills were evident even as an undergrad. "After conquering Princeton, she is unlikely to be fazed by another institution legendary for its white...

Sure Sotomayor Is Tough—as She Should Be

OPINION

Jul 10, 2009 9:13 AM CDT

Sure Sotomayor Is Tough—as She Should Be

Arguing a case before her isn't fun, but that's not a bad thing

(Newser) - Sonia Sotomayor may be a self-proclaimed “bear on the bench,” but the critics saying she's too harsh are way off base, writes constitutional lawyer Floyd Abrams in the Wall Street Journal. Abrams has argued multiple cases before Sotomayor. “Her questions are tough and fair, demanding and acute....

Ginsburg:
Bring On
Sonia

Jul 8, 2009 7:50 PM CDT

Ginsburg: Bring On Sonia

(Newser) - Ruth Bader Ginsburg can't wait for Sonia Sotomayor to join her on the Supreme Court. In a lively Q&A with Emily Bazelon for the New York Times magazine, Ginsburg says she's tired of being the lone female justice. "It’s almost like being back in law school in...

Firefighter Ruling Leaves Guidelines as Muddy as Ever

ANALYSIS

Jun 30, 2009 7:47 AM CDT

Firefighter Ruling Leaves Guidelines as Muddy as Ever

Employers likely to ditch written tests altogether to avoid discrimination suits

(Newser) - Yesterday's Supreme Court ruling in favor of a group of white firefighters looks likely to be a boon for employment lawyers instead of cities seeking clear guidance, experts tell the New York Times. The court's ruling makes it harder for employers to chuck out tests that overwhelmingly favor whites, and...

Roberts Court Takes Narrow Path to the Right

ANALYSIS

Jun 30, 2009 6:28 AM CDT

Roberts Court Takes Narrow Path to the Right

Supremes offer more modest rulings, put up barriers to lawsuits

(Newser) - The Supreme Court shifted further to the right in its 2008-09 term, ended yesterday, particularly on issues of civil rights and environmental protection. As USA Today reports, the conservative bloc led by John Roberts used several rulings to set tougher standards for individuals bringing suit, and it offered narrower opinions...

Tossed Ruling No Rebuke
to Sotomayor: Dems

Jun 29, 2009 3:55 PM CDT

Tossed Ruling No Rebuke to Sotomayor: Dems

Firefighter decision shows judicial 'modesty'

(Newser) - Democrats are struggling to paint the Supreme Court’s rejection today of an opinion by nominee Sonia Sotomayor as proof that she is, in fact, not an “activist judge,” Roll Call reports. The high court decided to reverse Sotomayor’s 2nd Circuit ruling against white New Haven firefighters...

Souter Says Goodbye to Supreme Court

Jun 29, 2009 2:13 PM CDT

Souter Says Goodbye to Supreme Court

On his final day, a testament to friendship in the face of dissent

(Newser) - David Souter bid farewell to the Supreme Court today, but not before taking a moment to reflect on the rewarding bonds forged between him and his fellow justices, the AP reports. Though he will leave the court, Souter told his colleagues in an open letter that he would not “...

High Court Rules for White Firefighters

Jun 29, 2009 9:31 AM CDT

High Court Rules for White Firefighters

5-4 decision reverses appeals panel that included Sotomayor

(Newser) - The Supreme Court has ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge. In a 5-4 ruling along ideological lines, the court said that New Haven was wrong...

Roberts Labors to Bring Divided Court Together

ANALYSIS

Jun 29, 2009 7:35 AM CDT

Roberts Labors to Bring Divided Court Together

Chief scores 2 big 8-1 decisions last week, but Supremes still split

(Newser) - John Roberts told the Senate in 2005 that the Supreme Court was too polarized, and as chief justice he promised to encourage harmony between the court's left and right blocs. Last week he delivered, with two 8-1 decisions on the Voting Rights Act and the strip-search of a 13-year-old girl....