Obama hails confirmation of Sotomayor as Supreme Court justice

October 5th, 2009 Supreme Court begins new term with new justiceWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has begun its new term with a new look. As court convened today, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic justice, joined the eight others.

September 8th, 2009 Sotomayor takes her place on high court benchWASHINGTON — Justice Sonia Sotomayor has taken her seat at the Supreme Court in front of a packed courtroom that included President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. The ceremony Tuesday was just for show.

August 12th, 2009 Obama holds reception for new justice SotomayorWASHINGTON — The newest addition to the Supreme Court pays her nominator a visit Wednesday. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are to host a reception this morning for freshly minted Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic to sit on the high court.

August 8th, 2009 Sotomayor takes oath from Chief Justice RobertsWASHINGTON —Sonia Sotomayor became the Supreme Court's newest justice Saturday, pledging during a brief ceremony at the high court to defend the Constitution and administer impartial justice. Sotomayor, 55, is the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman in the court's 220-year history.

August 8th, 2009 Sotomayor to be sworn in as justice SaturdayWASHINGTON —Sonia Sotomayor, her family and friends are gathering at the Supreme Court for her swearing-in as the court's first Hispanic, third woman and 111th justice. Chief Justice John Roberts planned to preside at two oath-taking ceremonies Saturday allowing Sotomayor to begin her new job.

August 6th, 2009 Senate sets Thursday vote on SotomayorWASHINGTON — The Senate has agreed to vote Thursday on confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. The historic vote on President Barack Obama's first high court nominee will take place in midafternoon.

August 6th, 2009 Sotomayor to be sworn in Saturday at high courtWASHINGTON — Sonia Sotomayor will be sworn in as the 111th justice of the Supreme Court on Saturday, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering two oaths of office. The 55-year-old Sotomayor will repeat one oath as prescribed by the Constitution in a private ceremony at the high court at 11 a.m.

August 3rd, 2009 McCain to oppose Sotomayor for Supreme CourtWASHINGTON — Republican Sen. John McCain says he'll oppose Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor when the Senate votes on her confirmation this week.

July 21st, 2009 Abortion rights group endorses Sotomayor for courtWASHINGTON — The abortion rights group NARAL ProChoice America says it's endorsing Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. NARAL says Sotomayor's (SUHN'-ya soh-toh-my-YOR') testimony during her confirmation hearings shows President Barack Obama's first high court choice is a stronger supporter of privacy rights than either Chief Justice John Roberts or Justice Samuel Alito, the previous two nominees.

July 17th, 2009 Top Senate Republican to oppose SotomayorWASHINGTON — The Senate's top Republican will vote against Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. A senior aide says Kentucky Sen.

July 16th, 2009 Specter to Sotomayor: Confirmation seems certainWASHINGTON — Sen. Arlen Specter has told Judge Sonia Sotomayor he thinks it's pretty certain she'll be confirmed for a seat on the Supreme Court.

July 14th, 2009 Sotomayor passes on chance to rate justicesWASHINGTON — Given a chance to say Tuesday which current Supreme Court justice or justices she most admires, Sonia Sotomayor took a pass. Answering a question from Wisconsin Democrat Herb Kohl, the 55-year-old Sotomayor declared: "To suggest that I admire one of the sitting Supreme Court justices would suggest that I think of myself as a clone of one of the judges.

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 Sotomayor arrives for hearingWASHINGTON — Sonia Sotomayor has arrived for her Senate Supreme Court confirmation hearing. As the week of hearings begins, Republicans and Democrats on the Judiciary Committee are renewing their debate over her qualifications to render justice impartially.

July 12th, 2009 Obama phones Sotomayor on eve of hearingsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has called his Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, to wish her luck at her confirmation hearings. The White House says Obama called the appellate court judge from the Oval Office on Sunday.