Sotomayor Addresses Criticisms on First Day of High Court Confirmation Hearing

Answering criticisms that her heritage and gender will influence her judging, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday that her judicial philosophy is "simple: fidelity to the law." Republican senators wasted no time in outlining their areas of concern, which they are sure to flesh out in questioning of the nominee that begins today. However, echoing most analysts, senators predicted that Sotomayor would be confirmed by the full Senate later this summer.