Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), who has dealt with myriad of health issues lately, was the only member of the Senate not to vote.
“This is a remarkable thing for our country,” said Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). “This is the American dream, it’s a dream we all spoke about when we campaigned and today we made it real.”
After nearly 18 hours of debate this week, 9 Republicans joined 59 Democrats in voting “aye,” a gesture that did not go unacknowledged by their colleagues across the aisle.
Said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY.), “we salute our 9 GOP colleagues.” He added that despite facing pressure, “they had the courage to say ‘yes.’”
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said that the “Republican members of the [Judiciary] committee handled themselves with dignity.”
All 31 votes opposing Sotomayor’s confirmation were cast by Republicans. Leahy attributed such opposition to the fact that her nomination came from a Democratic President.
“Even if Obama had nominated Moses, there would’ve been votes against.”
Democrats made the most of their opportunity to speak on such an historic day.
“This is truly a great day for the U.S. Supreme Court…a great day for law…and a great day for any young woman who says ‘yes I can!’” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid bragged that his party “made history by confirming someone as qualified as [Sotomayor].”
Schumer pledged his belief that Sotomayor is a leader who will “lead our country back to the mainstream.”
Sotomayor will be sworn into the Supreme Court on Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. The court reconvenes for its next session on October 5th.
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