Reaction to Obama's Supreme Court pick Sotomayor

Reaction from Congress and various outside groups to President Barack Obama's nomination of federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

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"As majority leader, I will do all I can to ensure Judge Sonia Sotomayor receives a fair and respectful hearing and the Senate's quick confirmation." - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

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"Senate Republicans will treat Judge Sotomayor fairly. But we will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law evenhandedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences." - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

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"Judge Sotomayor has a long and distinguished career on the federal bench. She has been nominated by both Democratic and Republican presidents, and she was twice confirmed by the Senate with strong, bipartisan support." - Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

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"We must determine if Ms. Sotomayor understands that the proper role of a judge is to act as a neutral umpire of the law, calling balls and strikes fairly without regard to one's own personal preferences or political views." - Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., the Judiciary Committee's top Republican.

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"This is an historic choice, and much more. Judge Sotomayor meets three very important standards in filling this Supreme Court vacancy - excellence, moderation and diversity." - Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., member of the Judiciary Committee.

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"She must prove her commitment to impartially deciding cases based on the law, rather than based on her own personal politics, feelings and preferences." - Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, member of the Judiciary Committee.

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"Her confirmation would add needed diversity in two ways: the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the high court." - Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., member of the Judiciary Committee.

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"The Judiciary Committee should take time to ensure that the nominee will be true to the Constitution and apply the law, not personal politics, feelings or preferences." - Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, member of the Judiciary Committee.

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"With eight men, one woman and no Hispanics currently sitting on the court, President Obama listened to voices like former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in recognizing that diversity on the bench is essential." - Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

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"Sotomayor's record on the bench, at first glance, appears undistinguished. She will not bring to the table the firepower that many liberal academics are asking for." - John Yoo, former Justice Department lawyer who wrote memos during the Bush administration on the legality of harsh interrogation techniques.

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"I congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her nomination by the president to be an associate justice on the United States Supreme Court. I look forward to examining her record thoroughly during the Senate confirmation process." - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

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"I am impressed that Judge Sotomayor is someone who knows the Constitution and the law, but who also knows America." - Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., member of the Judiciary Committee.

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"I commend President Obama for nominating a well-qualified woman." - Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

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"Puerto Ricans, both on the island and in the 50 states, take great pride in today's historic appointment. The story of Sonia Sotomayor is truly an inspiration." - Delegate Pedro Pierluisi, D-Puerto Rico.

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"She has an extremely high rate of her decisions being reversed, indicating that she is far more of a liberal activist than even the current liberal activist Supreme Court." - Wendy Long, counsel to the conservative Judicial Confirmation Network.

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"The Supreme Court should reflect the diverse population of the U.S. to ensure the highest court understands the unique circumstances of all Americans." - Brent Wilkes, national executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

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"Republicans will reserve judgment on Sonia Sotomayor until there has been a thorough and thoughtful examination of her legal views." - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.

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"While I would have liked to see a more conservative libertarian type on the high court, President Obama's selection of New York federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor was a very prudent and wise decision from a far left liberal like Obama." - Larry Klayman, founder, chairman and general counsel of Freedom Watch.

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"It brings us one step closer to the inclusive democracy that is the hallmark and promise of our great nation. Judge Sotomayor has the track record, the intellectual fortitude and the life experiences that will serve our nation well." - NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.

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"The president has chosen a very solid and tested woman as his nominee for the United States Supreme Court." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., member of the Judiciary Committee.

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"Judge Sotomayor's remarkable life story is an inspiring example of the American dream, and she has a highly distinguished legal background. She'll bring intelligence, insight, and experience to the vital work of protecting the fundamental rights and liberties of all Americans." - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

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"Her compelling personal story of overcoming adversity to achieve success through hard work and education are to be celebrated. We look forward to a fair and thorough confirmation process, a courtesy some Democrats did not afford to some conservative Hispanic judicial nominees during the Bush administration." - Raul Danny Vargas, national chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly.

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"I supported Judge Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1998 and from all accounts, she is a highly qualified and very experienced judge." -Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.