Reaction to Obama's Supreme Court pick Sotomayor

Reaction from Congress and various outside groups to President Barack Obama's nomination of federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

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"As Majority Leader, I will do all I can to ensure Judge Sonia Sotomayor receives a fair and respectful hearing and the Senate's quick confirmation."

— Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

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"Senate Republicans will treat Judge Sotomayor fairly. But we will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law evenhandedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences." — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

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"Judge Sotomayor has a long and distinguished career on the federal bench. She has been nominated by both Democratic and Republican presidents, and she was twice confirmed by the Senate with strong, bipartisan support." — Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

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"We must determine if Ms. Sotomayor understands that the proper role of a judge is to act as a neutral umpire of the law, calling balls and strikes fairly without regard to one's own personal preferences or political views." — Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee.

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"This is an historic choice, and much more. Judge Sotomayor meets three very important standards in filling this Supreme Court vacancy — excellence, moderation and diversity." — Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

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"She must prove her commitment to impartially deciding cases based on the law, rather than based on her own personal politics, feelings and preferences." — Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

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"Her confirmation would add needed diversity in two ways: the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the high court." — Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

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"The Judiciary Committee should take time to ensure that the nominee will be true to the Constitution and apply the law, not personal politics, feelings or preferences." — Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.