Leahy: Republicans told him that they would have objected to anyone Obama named to high court

August 5th, 2009 Republicans, Democrats at odds in Sotomayor debateWASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are lining up to criticize Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor as unfit for the bench while Democrats offer effusive praise of the judge whose confirmation this week as the first Hispanic justice is all but assured. The Senate is continuing a history-making debate on Sotomayor, dominated by Republican charges that she would bring bias to the court and assertions from Democrats that she's a mainstream moderate.

July 21st, 2009 Judiciary Republicans delay Sotomayor vote 1 weekWASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee has put off its vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor (SOHN'-ya soh-toh-my-YOR') for one week after Republicans asked for a delay. Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy says the vote will occur on July 28.

July 19th, 2009 Hearings fail to sway Sessions to Sotomayor's sideWASHINGTON — The top Republican on the Senate committee reviewing Sonia Sotomayor's nomination said Sunday her testimony did not settle his concerns about elevating her to the Supreme Court. "I was troubled by a number of the things the nominee has said, a number of the rulings she has made," said Alabama Sen.

July 16th, 2009 Democrats to set first Sotomayor vote next weekWASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman says he'll set a vote in his panel next week on confirming Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy says the vote will be Tuesday unless committee Republicans object.

July 16th, 2009 Sotomayor testimony completedWASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has completed three days of answering questions before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The panel's top Republican, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, said he expects a Senate floor vote to come before the August recess.

July 16th, 2009 Kyl decries heat at Sotomayor confirmation hearingWASHINGTON — As interrogation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor resumed, housekeeping items were front and center. Republican Sen.

July 13th, 2009 Leahy says Sotomayor follows rule of lawWASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says Sonia Sotomayor will be a Supreme Court justice who's "committed to the law" and "not to ideology." Describing Sotomayor as an "outstanding" nominee at the start of her Senate confirmation hearing Monday, Sen. Patrick Leahy denounced what he described as efforts to distort Sotomayor's record and views.

July 13th, 2009 Senate starts on Sotomayor's historic nominationWASHINGTON — Sonia Sotomayor enters confirmation hearings for her historic nomination to the Supreme Court with reason to be confident about the outcome — Democrats have the votes in the Senate to make her the court's first Hispanic and third woman justice. Hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee begin Monday with opening remarks from the panel's 12 Democrats and 7 Republicans, followed by Sotomayor's own statement that is expected to emphasize her compelling rise from poverty in New York City.

July 13th, 2009 Sotomayor hearing starts with Leahy praiseWASHINGTON — On the cusp of history, Sonia Sotomayor listened intently in a packed Senate hearing room Monday as lawmakers began confirmation hearings on her appointment as the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. "She's been a judge for all Americans.

July 13th, 2009 Dem praise, GOP doubts at Sotomayor hearing startWASHINGTON — Senate Democrats praised Sonia Sotomayor as a judicial pioneer, but Republicans questioned her impartiality and President Barack Obama's views as well Monday at confirmation hearings for the nation's first Hispanic nominee to the Supreme Court. "She's been a judge for all Americans.

June 11th, 2009 Republicans rip Democrats for Sotomayor 'rush'WASHINGTON — Republicans accused Democrats Wednesday of moving too hastily on Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination, warning that the decision could imperil her confirmation as they pressed the judge for more documents from her past. The top Senate Republican blasted Democrats' decision to schedule mid-July hearings for Sotomayor's confirmation, while another senior GOP senator floated the possibility of a filibuster by angry Republicans against President Barack Obama's first high court nominee.

June 9th, 2009 Republicans balk at Sotomayor hearing dateWASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are protesting Democrats' decision to schedule confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor for July 13, saying they need more time to review her record. Alabama Sen.

May 3rd, 2009 Leahy: Confirmation of new justice likely by Oct.WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says he expects President Barack Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court to be on the bench when in time for the court's new term in October. Democratic Sen.

May 3rd, 2009 Senators: Look beyond the bench for a new justiceWASHINGTON — Democratic and Republican senators said Sunday they hope President Barack Obama looks beyond the federal bench as he considers a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Obama said last week he would be looking at potential nominees who have empathy for ordinary Americans.

May 2nd, 2009 Senate Republicans in flux for high-court hearingsWASHINGTON — The likelihood of contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearings comes at a time of transition for Senate Republicans. Sen. Arlen Specter has been the party's senior member on the Judiciary Committee, which will conduct hearings on President Barack Obama's nominee for the high court.