Sotomayor approval transcends GOP opposition

PUSHING toward a historic Supreme Court confirmation vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday approved Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic justice, after nearly unanimous Republican opposition.

The panel’s 13-6 vote for Sotomayor masked deep political divisions within GOP ranks about confirming President Barack Obama’s first High Court nominee. Just one Republican, Sen Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, joined Democrats to support her, although four others have said they’ll vote for Sotomayor when her nomination comes before the full Senate next week – and that number is expected to grow.

“I would not have chosen her, but I understand why President Obama did. I gladly give her my vote, because I think she meets the qualifications test,” Graham said.