Sotomayor is Confirmed

In a historic moment, the U.S. Senate today voted 68-31 to confirm President Barack Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The vote, as expected, was along party lines, with nine of the Senate's 40 Republicans joining the Democratic majority in approving the 55-year-old 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge for a promotion to the nation's top court, reports the Hill and CNN's Political Ticker blog.

Only the third woman appointed in the country's history, Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic ever to serve on the supreme court.

In a written statement, American Bar Association President Carolyn B. Lamm congratulated Sotomayor and praised the historic appointment, saying that having Sotomayor on the bench "better reflects the population of our country." And, she says, "I believe that makes our court all the stronger.”

The appointment of Sotomayor "sends an important, hopeful sign to the nation’s fastest-growing population,” adds ABA President-elect Stephen N. Zack, who is the first Hispanic ever in this position.

“No office and no achievement should be beyond the reach of a highly capable person," says Zack. "As one who understands firsthand the effects of bias, I thank the Senate for confirming this qualified Hispanic woman to our nation’s highest court."

Additional coverage:

Los Angeles Times: "Senate confirms Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court"

Caucus (New York Times): "Senate Confirms Sotomayor, 68-31"

Reuters: "Senate Confirms Sotomayor, First Hispanic on Supreme Court"

Washington Post: "Senate Confirms Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court"