The questioning in Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearings began today (about 10 minutes ago, in fact.) Each of the 19 senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee (which includes Senator Klobuchar and Senator Franken) will question the judge for 30 minutes in the first round and 20 minutes in the second round.
In their opening remarks yesterday, both Minnesota senators tried to indicate what their top priorities in questioning would be. Senator Klobuchar said she plans to focus her questions later this week on Sotomayor's time as a prosecutor and her varied career:
As we consider your nomination, we know that you are more than the sum of your professional experiences. You bring one of the most wide-ranging legal resumes to this position--local prosecutor, civil litigator, trial judge and appellate judge.
In Franken's brief comments, he said he plans to ask about judicial activism, particularly in the areas of voting rights, the Internet, and campaign finance reform.
I am weary of judicial activism and I believe in judicial restraint. Except under the most exceptional circumstances, the judicial branch is designed to show deep deference to the Congress and not make policy by itself.
In their opening remarks yesterday, both Minnesota senators tried to indicate what their top priorities in questioning would be. Senator Klobuchar said she plans to focus her questions later this week on Sotomayor's time as a prosecutor and her varied career:
As we consider your nomination, we know that you are more than the sum of your professional experiences. You bring one of the most wide-ranging legal resumes to this position--local prosecutor, civil litigator, trial judge and appellate judge.
In Franken's brief comments, he said he plans to ask about judicial activism, particularly in the areas of voting rights, the Internet, and campaign finance reform.
I am weary of judicial activism and I believe in judicial restraint. Except under the most exceptional circumstances, the judicial branch is designed to show deep deference to the Congress and not make policy by itself.
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