Sotomayor Pledges Decisions Without Racial Bias

President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, faces a third day of questioning Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee considering her nomination. Judge Sotomayor told lawmakers on Tuesday that she would not allow personal views, sympathies or her ethnic background to influence her decisions if she is confirmed to the high court.

It will be another grueling day for Sotomayor as the committee considers her nomination by President Barack Obama to serve on the Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, she responded in detail to criticisms by Republicans that some of her past statements indicate she would allow her ethnic background or personal views to influence decisions she would make on the Supreme Court.

Committee chairman Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy opened the door on that issue, asking Sotomayor to explain remarks in 2001 when she said "a wise Latina" might reach a better conclusion [when judging a case] than a white man without the same life experiences.

Article Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-07-14-voa18.cfm?rss=topstories

Note: Supreme means hightest.