California's senators cast votes for Sotomayor

California’s U.S. senators cast two of the 68 “yes” votes today to confirm the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

Clerk: Mrs. Boxer? Mrs. Boxer, aye. Mrs. Feinstein? Mrs. Feinstein, aye.

Kitty Felde: As the clerk called their names, senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein cast their “aye” votes. Feinstein then joined other Democrats from the Senate Judiciary Committee to celebrate.

Feinstein recalled four tough days when Sonia Sotomayor calmly answered question after question about her positions on gun control, eminent domain, and whether she had the temperament to serve on the nation’s highest court.

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Dianne Feinstein: She did not lose her cool. The questions were hard. They probed, they picked, they tested – and she did not respond or take the bait. I think she’s going to be a wonderful Supreme Court justice. I think our nation is going to be really well served and that the Supreme Court is really lucky to have her.

Felde: Feinstein said the confirmation of the first Latino to the high court sent the message to young women that they can do it, too, if they work hard.