Obama to name first Hispanic to Supreme Court

Officials say U.S. President Barack Obama has picked a female, Hispanic federal appeals court judge to replace a retiring Supreme Court justice. Obama is expected to announce the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor Tuesday at the White House. Obama to name first Hispanic to Supreme Court If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic justice on the nine-member high court. President Obama spent the past days considering candidates to replace Justice David Souter. Souter was nominated by Republican President George H. W. Bush, but angered many conservatives with liberal-leaning decisions, such as consistently supporting abortion rights. Souter, who has been a Supreme Court justice for 19 years, is retiring at the end of the court's term in June. The president said he was looking for a Supreme Court justice who appreciates the principles of the U.S. Constitution, and can also understand and identify with people's hopes and struggles.

Obama to name first Hispanic to Supreme Court

If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic justice on the nine-member high court.

President Obama spent the past days considering candidates to replace Justice David Souter.

Souter was nominated by Republican President George H. W. Bush, but angered many conservatives with liberal-leaning decisions, such as consistently supporting abortion rights. Souter, who has been a Supreme Court justice for 19 years, is retiring at the end of the court's term in June.

The president said he was looking for a Supreme Court justice who appreciates the principles of the U.S. Constitution, and can also understand and identify with people's hopes and struggles.