Friday morning docket: Supreme wrap
The confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is in the history books. And even though some members of the Senate Judiciary Committee spent time during and after the hearing expressing frustration with Sotomayor’s answers – and refusals to answer some questions – she is expected to sail easily to confirmation. Republicans committee members have said they won’t block the vote on the nominee. The committee formally takes up her nomination starting Tuesday.
And though the hearing has been the primary focus of DC Dicta this week, there is other legal news:
Party of five? The three empty seats on the National Labor Relations Board may finally be filled now that the White House has sent three nominations to the Senate. (Lawyers USA)
Minimum justice: A member of the Judicial Conference testified earlier this week before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security and described mandatory minimum sentences as creating “untenable results. (Lawyers USA)
E-Verified: The Senate has voted to include an amendment to the Homeland Security budget that would make E-Verify permanent for employers with federal contractors. (Lawyers USA)
Hate crime vote: The Senate voted to expand protections for people attacked based on gender and sexual orientation under federal hate crimes law. (AP)
It’s interesting comparing this to the last presidential nomination that created fireworks (anyone remember Miers?); Sotomayor should not have to answer hypothetical questions with a judicial record as established as hers.
Obama does continue to display a penchant for finding bullet proof nominees!