 Sotomayor 's confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee began on July 13 , 2009 , during which she backed away from her " wise Latina " remark , declaring it " a rhetorical flourish that fell flat " and stating that " I do not believe that any ethnic , racial or gender group has an advantage in sound judgment . " When Republican senators confronted her regarding other remarks from her past speeches , she pointed to her judicial record and said she had never let her own life experiences or opinions influence her decisions . Republican senators said that while her rulings to this point might be largely traditional , they feared her Supreme Court rulings – where there is more latitude with respect to precedent and interpretation – might be more reflective of her speeches . Sotomayor defended her position in Ricci as following applicable precedent . When asked whom she admired , she pointed to Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo . In general , Sotomayor followed the hearings formula of recent past nominees by avoiding stating personal positions , declining to take positions on controversial issues likely to come before the Court , agreeing with senators from both parties , and repeatedly affirming that as a justice she would just apply the law . On July 28 , 2009 , the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Sotomayor 's nomination ; the 13 – 6 vote was almost entirely along party lines , with no Democrats opposing her and only one Republican supporting her . On August 6 , 2009 , Sotomayor was confirmed by the full Senate by a vote of 68 – 31 . The vote was largely along party lines , with no Democrats opposing her and nine Republicans supporting her . 
