Senate GOP: Will Sotomayor uphold Constitution?

[June 24, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans are questioning whether Judge Sonia Sotomayor could be counted upon to uphold the Constitution on the Supreme Court.

In multiple floor speeches Tuesday and later in a closed lunch of GOP senators, Republicans said they want to hear more about whether she would uphold constitutional amendments guaranteeing equal protection under the law and the right to keep and bear arms, as well as whether the government can freely take land from one person and give it to another.

Sotomayor's supporters countered by unveiling endorsements of Hispanic law enforcement organizations, who called her qualified and fair-minded. One police chief predicted only politics could stop her confirmation. Sotomayor's confirmation hearings begin July 13 before the Senate Judiciary Committee. [Associated Press; By LAURIE KELLMAN] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.