Los Angeles Times - Washington D.C.

Sotomayor answers her Senate critics in hearing

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Supreme Court nominee explains the legal bases for her past rulings, reassuring supporters if not winning over conservatives.

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor proclaimed Tuesday that she would not let ethnic or gender biases influence her decisions on the court, during a grueling round of questioning from skeptical Republicans who vowed to pursue their tough examination of her record today.

Sotomayor backs off 'wise Latina' remarks

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Supreme Court nominee walks a fine line, acknowledging that her gender and ethnicity influence her personally, but maintaining that her record shows they don't influence her court decisions.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor seemed determined Tuesday to put to rest the talk of her as the "wise Latina" who might make better decisions than a white male because of her gender or ethnicity.

Legal experts' views on the Sotomayor hearing

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Supreme Court nominee takes questions about race and gender, and her ability to remain neutral.

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor parried tough questions Tuesday from the Senate Judiciary Committee about how race and gender affect a judge's views on the law. Republicans focused on a single ruling from her 17 years on the federal bench involving a group of white firefighters claiming reverse discrimination. Legal experts said the exhaustive discussion of the New Haven, Conn., firefighters' case and Sotomayor's comment about a "wise Latina" making better judgments than a white male spotlighted the dearth of evidence opponents have against her.

Sotomayor: 'Every person has an equal opportunity' to be a good judge

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

On the second day of her confirmation hearing, the judge talks about personal prejudices, affirmative action, abortion, the 2nd Amendment and more.

On the second day of her confirmation hearing, Judge Sonia Sotomayor was asked about her views on a range of subjects. Some of her responses:

U.S., China try to reach accord on reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The participation of these two polluting superpowers is essential to building a global consensus heading into next year's United Nations conference on climate change.

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke are in Beijing this week to talk about climate change with Chinese leaders. The hope is to open the nation's market to American clean technology products while nudging China toward committing to hard targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

House Democrats unveil healthcare overhaul plan

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The bill creates a government insurance option, increases insurance regulation, and raises taxes on the wealthy to help pay for it. It immediately draws Republican fire.

Capping months of work, House Democratic leaders on Tuesday introduced their plan for a sweeping remake of the nation's healthcare system. Among the provisions in the 1,018-page bill: creation of a new government insurance option, increased regulation of the insurance industry and other steps to ensure near-universal medical coverage for the first time in U.S. history.

Obama unveils plan to invest in community colleges

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The president says he intends to inject $12 billion into the nation's two-year schools over the next 10 years to help struggling workers prepare for new careers.

With unemployment continuing to climb, President Obama on Tuesday unveiled a plan to pump $12 billion into the nation's community colleges over the next 10 years to help struggling workers prepare for new careers, saying a better-educated workforce was crucial to long-term prosperity.

Shark-bite survivors lobby to protect their attackers

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A group of at least 9 plans to press the Senate to outlaw 'shark-finning' on fishing boats. 'I don't have any right to be angry at the shark,' says a man whose arm was bitten off.

Chuck Anderson is in Washington today to save the thing that bit off his arm.

California could lose a House seat after 2010 census

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:06:00 -0700

Experts think the size of the state's delegation will probably remain unchanged, but even that would break a historical pattern. The population is growing at a slower pace than in some other states.

Here's yet another result of the bad economy: California's congressional delegation is unlikely to grow and could even lose a seat after next year's census for the first time since stagecoach days.

Sotomayor answers her Senate critics

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:10:00 -0700

She responds patiently, assuring supporters if not winning over foes as she explains the legal bases for her past rulings.

Skeptical Republicans did no serious damage to President Obama's Supreme Court nominee during the first full day of questioning today, as an unruffled Judge Sonia Sotomayor cautiously, if at times ploddingly, fended off sharp questions.