'Profoundly Affected'

" Please go ahead. Thank you mr. chairman. It's an incredible honor. To be here less than a week. Into my term as United States senator. My first major responsibility is here at this historic confirmation hearing. I am truly -- was joined the Judiciary Committee which is played we'll continue to plays such an important role in overseeing. Our nation's system of justice chairman Leahy. For several years now I have admired your strength. And integrity in leading this committee and grateful for your warm welcome and the consideration that you given me -- And I am honored to serve alongside of you ranking member sessions. I want you to know that I plan -- follow the example my good friend and predecessor Paul Wellstone who was willing and ready. To partner with his colleagues across the -- to do the work of the American people. -- working over the years with you. My other Republican colleagues in the Senate to improve the lives. Of all Americans. A -- all the members of this committee. I know that I have a lot to learn from each of you. Like so many private citizens I have watched at least part. Each and every Supreme Court confirmation hearings since they've been tell -- and I would note that this is the first confirmation hearing. That Senator Kennedy is not attended since. 1965."

" It is -- it was -- it was suspend officers please remove. Or is -- terrorism. Against senator sessions and I -- said. This is a being of the United States senate. So respect everybody who's here we -- respect everybody here. And Saturday to judge Sotomayor. Of the senators on both sides of the and we we'll have -- in this room act essentially. Senator -- complete."

" thank you mr. chairman what I was saying was that this is the first. Hearings and site it's 65. Senator Kennedy has not. Been present and I know he's off the committee now but we do miss. His presence. These televised hearings over the years have taught Americans a lot of our constitution. And the role that the courts play in upholding and defending it. I look forward to listening to all of your questions. And issues that you -- your constituents care about. The judge sort of where. Welcome over the next few days I expect to learn. From you as well. As -- you the most experienced nominee is Supreme Court in a hundred years. And after meeting you in my office last week I know that you're not just an outstanding weighted -- exceptional. Exceptional individual. And as others have said your story is inspirational one which all Americans should take great pride. I welcome your family as well. As most of you know this is my fifth day in office. That may mean on most junior senator but also means I am the senator whom most recently. Took the oath of office. Last Tuesday I swore. To support and defend the constitution of the United States. And to bear true faith and allegiance. To it. I take this -- very seriously. As we consider your nomination. -- my -- I may not be a lawyer. But neither are the overwhelming majority of Americans. Yet all of us regardless of our backgrounds and professions have a huge stake. Who sits on the Supreme Court. And we are profoundly. Affected by -- decisions. I hope to use my time over the next few days to raise issues -- concern that people of Minnesota and the people this nation. This hearing will help folks sitting and living rooms and offices and well known and -- from the Twin Cities. -- get a better idea of what the court is. Well it doesn't -- that supposed to do most importantly how it affects the everyday lives. All Americans. Justice Souter whom you will replace it if you are confirmed once said. The first lessons simple as it is. Is that whatever -- were in whatever we're doing at the end of our task. Some human being is going to be affected. Some human life is gonna be changed. By what we do. And so we have better use every power of our markets. And our hearts. And our beings. To get those rulings right. I believe Justice Souter had it right. In the past months I've spent a lot of time thinking about the -- impact. On the lives of Americans and reading. And consulting with some of Minnesota's. Top legal minds and I believe that the rights of Americans. As citizens and voters. Are facing challenges on two separate fronts first. I believe that the position. Congress with -- respect to the courts and the executive is in jeopardy. Even before I aspire to represent the people Minnesota in the United States senate I believe that the framers made congress. -- first branch of government. For a reason. It answers most directly to the people. And as the legitimacy to speak for of the people in crafting laws be carried out by the executive branch. I am wary of judicial activism and I believe in judicial restraint. Except under the most exceptional circumstances. That judicial branch is designed to show -- deference. To congress. And not make policy by itself. -- looking at recent decisions on voting rights campaign finance reform and other -- number of other topics. It appears that appropriate deference. May not have been shown in the past few years and there are ominous signs. -- judicial activism is on the rise in these areas I agree with senator Feingold -- with senator White House. We hear a lot about judicial activist. Judicial activism -- politicians are running for office. And when they talk -- kind of judge they want on the Supreme Court. It's he has that their definition of an activist judges one who votes differently than they would like. For example during the -- court justice Clarence Thomas. Vote voted to overturn federal laws more than Justice Stevens and just -- brought a Justice Breyer mark. Second I am concerned that Americans are facing new barriers to defending their individual rights. The Supreme Court is the last court in the land where an individual is promised a level playing field. -- and can seek to right a wrong. Is -- last place an employee can go if he or she is discriminated. Against because of age or gender color. Is the last place a small business owner can go to ensure free and fair competition. In the market. In his last place an investor. Can go to try to recover losses from security fraud. As -- last place -- person can go to protect the free flow of information. On the Internet. It is -- last -- assistant can go to protect his or her vote. Is -- last place where a woman can go to protect her reproductive health and rights. Yet from what I see on each of those fronts. For each of those rights the past decade has made a little bit harder. For American citizens to defend themselves. As I said before judge -- I'm here to learn from you."

" I wanna learn what you think is -- proper relationship between. Congress and the courts between congress and the executive. I want to learn how you go about -- the rights of the individual the small consumer business owner. And more powerful interest. And I want to hear your views on judicial restraint and activism in the context of important issues like voting rights and open access to the Internet and campaign finance reform. We're gonna have a lot of more time together so I'm I'm just gonna start listening thank you mr. --"