Sotomayor: Judge's role not activist one
WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- Sonia Sotomayor told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee she doesn't use the term "judicial activism" because she doesn't view a judge's work in that manner.
Asked by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., to give her definition of judicial activism, Sotomayor said during the third day of hearings on her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, "I don't use the term, because ... I don't see the work that judges do in that way. I assume the good faith of all judges to interpret the law according to the principles of statutory construction."
Sotomayor also demurred on questions Franken asked about whether an open and accessible Internet was a "compelling First Amendment interest."
"There is no question in my mind, as a citizen, that the Internet revolutionized communications in the United States," she said. However, "the role of the court is never to make policy but to wait until Congress acts" then determine whether its action passes constitutional muster.
"Rights are rights," she said. "What the court looks at is how Congress balances (one set of rights against another) in a particular situation."
Republican-turned Democrat Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, a one-time Judiciary Committee chairman, asked Sotomayor whether it was "appropriate" for the public to have televised access to Supreme Court proceedings.
Sotomayor said she had participated in televised proceedings and had positive experiences.
If confirmed by the Senate, "I will certainly relay those positive experiences" to other justices.
"This question is certainly an important one," she said.
Sotomayor also fielded questions concerning abortion and self-defense by two Republican members -- John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
Sotomayor told Cornyn that no one from the White House asked about her views on abortion rights.
"I was asked no questions by anyone, including (President Barack Obama), about my views on any specific legal issue," Sotomayor said.
When asked by Coburn if individuals had the right to defend themselves, Sotomayor said she didn't know whether that legal question had ever been presented to a court.
"I wasn't asking about the legal question," Coburn said. "I'm asking about your personal opinion."
"But that is sort of an abstract question with no particular meaning to me outside (of a legal context)," she replied.
Obama chides healthcare reform naysayers
WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama Wednesday repeated his call to lawmakers to pass reforms to the U.S. healthcare system now instead of maintaining the status quo.
"(Those) who would oppose our efforts should take a hard look at just what it is they're defending," Obama said in remarks delivered in the White House Rose Garden. "Over the last decade, health insurance premiums have risen three times faster than wages. Deductibles and out-of-pocket costs are skyrocketing."
Obama also praised the work in the House and Senate to push forward healthcare reform, a key plank of his domestic agenda.
"Both proposals will take what's best about our system today and make it the basis of our system tomorrow -- reducing costs, raising quality and ensuring fair treatment of consumers by the insurance industry," Obama said of a proposal introduced in the House and legislation passed by a Senate committee.
Both measures include a health insurance exchange proposal, which would allow health coverage comparisons by individuals and businesses, and have a public health coverage option "that would make healthcare more affordable by increasing competition, providing more choices and keeping insurance companies honest," he said.
Congressional progress on reform "should make us hopeful, but it shouldn't make us complacent," Obama said, flanked by members of Congress and by several nurses. "It should instead provide the urgency for both the House and the Senate to finish their critical work on health reform before the August recess."
The Senate health committee Wednesday passed on a party line vote its $600 billion version of healthcare reform legislation, which doesn't include a surtax on the nation's richest taxpayers sought by the House legislation to pay for changes. The Senate Finance Committee still is marking up its version.
Noting that a number of health-related constituencies are on board for healthcare reform, Obama said, "It's up to us now."
Obama's political team airs healthcare ad
WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's political team began running television ads Wednesday, urging Democrats and centrist Republicans to support healthcare reform.
The 30-second spots developed by Organizing for America will run in eight states for two weeks, a preview of the ad by CNN indicated.
The spots, highlighting five people discussing healthcare issues, also will run on national cable television and online, Organizing for America officials said.
"Millions of Americans lose their health insurance when they lose their (jobs), are denied care because of a pre-existing condition, and delay care or skip medication because they can't afford it," Organizing for America Executive Director Mitch Stewart said in a statement. "Skyrocketing healthcare costs are hurting American families and straining already-strapped budgets for businesses and governments. It's time to reform our healthcare system to lower costs, preserve patient choice and ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable care."
Next week, Organizing for America said it will conduct a series of news conferences, town hall meetings and other grassroots events to highlight healthcare reform.
Obama has challenged Congress to deliver healthcare reform legislation to his desk by October.
Maliki, Obama to meet at White House
WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is scheduled to visit U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington next week, the White House said Wednesday.
"The United States and Iraq enjoy a close relationship and are partners in building a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq through the responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces and the encouragement of new ties in trade, commerce, culture and education," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
The two leaders plan to meet next Wednesday.
"The president looks forward to consulting with the prime minister on a broad agenda of issues of mutual concern," Gibbs said.
Day-care center to sue pool club
PHILADELPHIA, July 15 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia-area day-care center denied access to a private club's pool will file a federal civil rights lawsuit, the center's attorney said Wednesday.
"Specifically, the lawsuit will be based on violations of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which relates to the denial of access and use and advantages of a public accommodation," attorney Carolyn Wright said on CNN.
Wright said Creative Steps, which cares for many minority children, also will seek "punitive damages to punish the club for the harm that they've done to the children."
The dispute started after the Valley Swim Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., revoked swimming privileges of about 65 children from the center after a visit June 29. The center had contracted to use the pool during the summer, but the club canceled the agreement and returned the center's $1,950 check without explanation.
Some black and Hispanic children said white club members made racist comments during the June 29 visit.
"The humiliation, embarrassment and the scarring and suffering of the children -- that would be covered by our claim for compensatory damages," Wright told CNN.
The club also canceled contracts with two other day-care centers because of safety and crowding, Valley Swim Club Director John Duesler said. The other centers have not protested the club's decision.
The swim club has been subpoenaed by Pennsylvania's Human Relations Commission, which initiated a fact-finding investigation, said Bernice Duesler, wife of the club's director.
She told CNN Tuesday the club "could not handle a lawsuit" because it doesn't have the money and it is a small club staffed by volunteers.
