Hatch, With a ‘Heavy Heart,’ Will Vote No on Sotomayor

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), a longtime member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today said he will vote against President Obama’s first Supreme Court pick, Sonia Sotomayor, because “her statements and record were too much at odds with the principles about the judiciary in which I deeply believe.”

Hatch aggressively grilled Sotomayor during her nomination hearing on her views of the Second Amendment and the “incorporation doctrine,” among other things. He was evidently not satisfied with her answers. Today he said in a prepared statement:

Arriving at a final decision was particularly difficult because I like and highly respect Judge Sotomayor and, in general, give a great deal of deference to any President’s nominee. The prospect of a woman of Puerto Rican heritage serving on the Supreme Court brought great excitement to me and says a lot about America.

However, after thoroughly reviewing Judge Sotomayor’s record and being able to hear her testimony and responses during the hearing process, I reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, have found that I cannot support her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. In truth, I wish President Obama had chosen a Hispanic nominee that all Senators could support. I believe it would have done a great deal for our great country. Although Judge Sotomayor has a compelling life story and dedication to public service, her statements and record were too much at odds with the principles about the judiciary in which I deeply believe.

Here’s his full statement.