FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 30, 2009

Isakson Statement on Nomination Of Judge Sotomayor

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today made the following statement regarding his intention to vote against the nomination of federal appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court:

“I have personally interviewed Judge Sonia Sotomayor, and I have carefully followed the Judiciary Committee hearings as well as her testimony. After thorough consideration, I have determined that I will not vote for her confirmation for two specific reasons.  First, Judge Sotomayor’s opinions and rulings on cases involving property rights are troubling, especially those favoring the use of eminent domain powers by a government to facilitate the sale or redevelopment of private property.  Second, Judge Sotomayor’s statement that the Second Amendment to the Constitution is not a fundamental right and that it does not apply to state and local governments is inconsistent with my and, I believe, most Georgians’ understanding of the Constitution. I believe a qualified judge is one who understands the value and the strength and the power of the Constitution of the United States of America, who will rule based on the law and who will not legislate based on the position. I do not believe Judge Sotomayor’s record has met this standard.”