Hearings on President Barack Hussein Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court are now set to begin in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, July 13. A copy of the Committee’s Questionnaire for the hearings and Judge Sotomayor’s answers is attached below.
A quick review of her answers reveals some interesting things. [She has an excellent educational background and many awards, but those are expected of a Supreme Court nominee (with the exception of Harriet Miers, an awful candidate for the Supreme Court originally nominated by George W. Bush, who subsequently "withdrew") and aren’t that interesting for purposes of this blog.]
She was employed by the "Maternity Center Association" in New York City from 1985-86. It is currently named "Childbirth Connection." According to their website, this group serves as "your source for trustworthy up-to-date evidence-based information and resources on planning for pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period. Founded in 1918, Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of maternity care. We promote safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care for all women and families."
She lists herself as a member of the National Council of La Raza. She was a member of the "New York City Campaign Finance Board," from 1988-92, sort of an FPPC/FEC for New York City, and therefore has an election law background! She was originally appointed a District Court Judge by George H.W. Bush and confirmed in 1992, and a Federal Appellate Judge by Bill Clinton in 1998.
There is a lot to chew on in the attached questionnaire for inquiring minds.