WASHINGTON – After carefully considering her 17-year record as a federal judge and closely reviewing her recent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, AAUW is proud to announce its support of the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor, if confirmed, would become the first woman named to the high court since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1993.
"Based on Judge Sotomayor's depth of legal experience, her stellar academic credentials, and her mainstream judicial record, AAUW believes she will be a strong addition to the highest court in the land," said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "She brings more federal judicial experience than any Supreme Court nominee in more than 100 years and, as the third woman and first Latina on the court, her confirmation will be a historic one that further breaks through barriers for all women."
"As a nonpartisan organization with members from both sides of the aisle, AAUW is especially pleased to note that Judge Sotomayor was nominated by President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton to the district and appeals courts," said Hallman. "She holds the unique distinction of being nominated to three federal judicial positions by three different presidents representing different political parties — a rarity in today's partisan world of judicial confirmation battles."
Justice Ginsburg has been quoted as saying that "Judge Sotomayor will bring to the Supreme Court, as she did to the district court and then the Court of Appeals, a wealth of experience in law and in life." [i] AAUW agrees. Judge Sotomayor is well regarded for her in-depth knowledge and understanding of the law, along with her commitment to stare decisis — two key priorities AAUW looks for in evaluating judicial nominations.
"After thoroughly reviewing her record, particularly how it relates to AAUW's member-adopted, 2009–11 Public Policy Program, we believe Judge Sotomayor deserves swift confirmation," said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations "Judge Sotomayor's record is that of a mainstream judge who has earned the respect of her colleagues and admiration from members of both political parties. We believe she will bring these same qualities to the U.S Supreme Court."
