Reid: Sotomayor's 'time has come'

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- The nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court received Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's unqualified support Thursday.

Reid, D-Nev., met with leaders of several Hispanic groups and then held a news conference with Raul Yzaguirre, founder of the National Council of La Raza, Liz Lopez of the National Hispanic Bar Association and John Amaya, a lawyer with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, The Hill reported. He called Sotomayor "someone whose time has come."

"I don't know why it should be a fight," Reid said. "At this point, they're grasping at straws. I guess you can pick a fight over nothing, and maybe they want to fight over nothing, but at this stage her credentials are very loud and clear."

Sotomayor's questionnaire on her qualifications was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Obama administration said she completed the form more quickly than other recent nominees, The Washington Post reported.

If she is confirmed, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic and third woman on the court.