'Empathy' or Respect for the Law?

Judge Sonia Sotomayor Hearings Begin

Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings Begin on July 13 Confirmation hearings for President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, began in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. Throughout this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be examining the words and decisions of Sonia Sotomayor as she is considered to fill a position on the United States Supreme Court. In opening statements, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) raised concerns about President Obama's statements that he would nominate judges based on their ability to "empathize" in general and with certain groups. Senator Grassley stated, "The Constitution requires that judges be free from personal politics, feelings, and preferences. President Obama's 'empathy' standard appears to encourage judges to make use of their personal politics, feelings, and preferences. This is contrary to what most of us understand to be the role of the judiciary." Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) also expressed concerns over the crossroads our judicial system is approaching in which on one path "judges impartially apply the law to the facts without regard to personal views" and on the other path where "judges are free to decide what facts they choose to see." Questioning of Sotomayor will begin Tuesday. For more information on the hearings, click here to review the list of witnesses appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. You can click here to watch the hearings throughout the week. Read the NFRW's statement on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor.