Statement of U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek on Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s Nomination to the Supreme Court

"Today, President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retired Justice David Souter to the Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor is a first rate jurist possessing a deep understanding of the Constitution, and yet she is intimately aware with how judicial rulings impact the lives of ordinary Americans. As with President Obama, her life story, as a Latina who rose from a public housing upbringing to being nominated for the highest court in the land, is inspiring and she too is an extraordinary American. Her passion for the law, ability to seek consensus and work with fellow jurists across the ideological spectrum makes Judge Sotomayor a well suited addition to the Supreme Court, once confirmed. President Obama has asked for and Judge Sotomayor deserves a civil and timely confirmation process. I urge the U.S. Senate to carry out its constitutional duty and hold thorough and substantive confirmation hearings on her nomination."