There must be a vigorous debate about the kind of judge America needs because nothing less than our liberty is at stake.

So do you agree that marriage is a question reserved for the States to decide based on Baker v. Nelson?

If Judge Sotomayor were a white man who suggested that whites or males made better judges, we would not be having this discussion because the nominee would have been forced to withdraw once those words became public.

The use of the word 'overhaul' does not in any way imply usurpation of legislative power by the courts?

Do you believe that the Supreme Court overstepped their constitutional authorities when they went beyond the words of the Constitution?

I expect every judge to see all the facts.

But since the United Nations doesn't share all those norms, importing that single legal proposition into our nation can have very bad consequences for us.

I understand, at this hearing, Judge Sotomayor disavowed the use of such materials to have any influence on jurisprudence, and I welcome that disavowal.

It is my opinion that over time the Supreme Court has often veered off the course established by the Framers.

As an undergraduate, she actively pushed for race-based goals and time tables for faculty hiring.

People always say I have the ability to turn people on.

I thought I was asking a very simple question based upon a precedent that Baker v. Nelson is.

Well, since Mr. Didden's claim was based on conduct of the developer, how could he ever have filed a successful claim under the standard that you just mentioned?

Congratulations on your nomination to be Associate Justice and welcome to the Judiciary Committee.

Call it empathy, call it prejudice, or call it sympathy, but whatever it is, it is not law.

You have a distinguished legal and judicial record.

I assume that I get the time that he didn't use?

If the Constitution, as I believe, should be interpreted according to the meaning it had at the time it was ratified, it follows directly that the use of contemporary foreign or international law is not proper.

Now, I believe that I'm going to ask you something you've never been asked before during this hearing, I hope.

I respectfully submit that President Obama is simply outside the mainstream in his statements about how judges should decide cases.

Seating a Justice on the Supreme Court who does not treat the Second Amendment as a fundamental right deserving of protection against cities and states could do far more damage to the right to keep and bear arms than any legislation passed…

The Supreme Court could demonstrate renewed respect for our original plan of Government and return us slowly but surely to a written Constitution.

I will not vote for--and no senator should vote for--an individual nominated by any President who is not fully committed to fairness and impartiality toward every person who appears before them.

Identity politics involves a sense of grievance against the majority, a feeling that racism permeates American society and its institutions.

I want to say to you that there's a Supreme Court decision called Baker v. Nelson, 1972.