Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today outlined his plan for evaluating Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama’s nominee to the United States Supreme Court.  As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Feingold will be one of the senators questioning Sotomayor during her confirmation hearings, which will take place later this summer.  Feingold’s decision on whether or not to support the Sotomayor nomination will be based in part on her qualifications, judicial temperament, objectivity and integrity.  In addition to reviewing Sotomayor’s record, Feingold is also soliciting feedback from Wisconsinites about the nomination.  

“My initial reaction to President Obama’s selection of Judge Sotomayor was very positive,” Feingold said.  “By all accounts, she is a highly qualified and very experienced judge with a personal story that is a testament to the opportunities this country provides.  But evaluating a nominee for the United States Supreme Court is a responsibility that must be taken very seriously considering the impact a Supreme Court Justice can have on our nation.  And in addition to a thorough review of her record, the concerns and opinions of people in Wisconsin are very important to me and will be included in the decision making process.” 

In order to prepare for the confirmation hearings he will participate in, Feingold will take the following steps:

• Review the nominee's qualifications, including analyzing the nominee's opinions and reading commentary about, and analysis of, the nominee's record. 
  
• Meet personally with Judge Sotomayor ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.  This meeting will take place in Senator Feingold’s Washington, D.C. office. Feingold will consider the concerns and ideas of people from Wisconsin about Sotomayor’s nomination.  
  
• Consider constituent feedback.  Throughout the confirmation process, Senator Feingold will consider the concerns and ideas of people from Wisconsin about Sotomayor’s nomination.
  
  
  • Wisconsinites can attend listening sessions to offer their concerns and opinions. A schedule of Senator Feingold’s listening sessions is available at http://feingold.senate.gov/listening/index.html
  • Wisconsinites can also make their views known at a special section of Senator Feingold’s website, which can be found at http://feingold.senate.gov/supremecourt.
  • Senator Feingold welcomes analysis and advice from lawyers and law professors in Wisconsin.  Memos on legal issues, suggested lines of questioning and other materials can also be submitted at http://feingold.senate.gov/supremecourt.