Political Quotes

“I want to read you some quotes of the Justice, and then I want to read you the answers she gave to my queries during her hearing on the Judiciary Committee. I think it is going to be plain to see that we have to change what we are doing on Supreme Court nominees. Previous quotes from Judge Sotomayor on foreign law; the use of foreign law to interpret the U.S. Constitution, which is forbidden under the Constitution, except in those international treaties where it is so directed under statute and treaty. Statement of Judge Sotomayor: To suggest to anyone that you can outlaw the use of foreign or international law is a sentiment that is based on a fundamental misunderstanding. What you would be asking American judges is to close their minds to good ideas. Nothing in the American legal system prevents us from considering the ideas. That is true. The international law and foreign law will be very important in the discussion of how we think about unsettled issues in our own legal system. It is my hope that judges everywhere will continue to do this. Within the American legal system, we are commanded to interpret our law in the best way we can. That means looking to what anyone has said to see if it has pervasive value. Well, that is wrong. The Constitution defines what judges look at in considering their decisions.…”