Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate today to be the newest justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The body voted 68–31 in favor of her confirmation. Sotomayor will be the 111th justice of the Supreme Court, the third woman, and the first Hispanic. She will replace departing justice David Souter with a formal ceremony in September, and will likely be sworn into office by Chief Justice John Roberts in the next few days. The vote to confirm her was made largely along party lines, though Republicans in recent days were careful to voice their support for Hispanic leadership progress in the United States. President Obama is expected to comment on the vote shortly.
