VOA标准英语2009年-Republicans Promise Thorough Confirmation

Opposition¹ Republicans are promising² thorough Senate confirmation³ hearings for President Barack Obama's Supreme⁴ Court nominee⁵, federal judge Sonia Sotomayor.
　
President Obama and federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, after her nomination⁶ to the Supreme Court was announced, 26 May 2009

The next step in the confirmation process for Judge Sotomayor is preparing for public hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee sometime in the next few months.

The top Republican on the committee, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, told NBC's Today program that he will insist on a serious look at Judge Sotomayor's legal record and judicial⁷ philosophy.

In particular, Sessions said Republicans will look for any indications that Sotomayor injects personal views into her legal decisions.

"That that person will be faithful to the law and not allow their personal views to influence decision-making. This is a fundamental question of American law," he said.
　
The Senate Judiciary Committee's newest ranking Republican, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., 06 May 2009

Senators are expected to question Sotomayor about a comment she made at a legal forum⁸ in 2001 when she spoke⁹ about the role of federal judges and appeals courts.

"The court of appeals is where policy is made, and I know this is on tape and I should never say that because we do not make law, I know, I know, and I am not promoting it, I am not advocating it," she said at the time.

That view has already raised concerns among Republicans who believe judges should make their decisions based on the law and legal precedent¹⁰, not personal political views.

Conservative activists¹¹ are already lining¹² up to oppose Sotomayor's nomination.

Bruce Hausknecht is with a group called Focus on the Family.

"It causes concern over whether she understands the role of a judge, especially for a lifetime appointment on the highest court in the land," he said.

Democrats¹³ remain confident that Sotomayor will be confirmed, largely because they control nearly 60 of the 100 seats in the Senate.
　
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., (file photo)

Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York also appeared on NBC television.

"I think when they look at her record they are going to support her. She is moderate. She is excellent," he said.

Political analysts¹⁴ also point out that Republicans may be reluctant to block her nomination out of concern of offending Hispanic-Americans, who represent one of the fastest growing blocs¹⁵ of voters in the country.

A random¹⁶ sampling of public reaction in Los Angeles indicated support for Judge Sotomayor.

MAN #1: "Especially now that we have an African-American president, now he is giving an opportunity to Hispanics."

MAN #2: "It is a wonderful choice for America and for the Hispanic people in America."

MAN #3: "I think that is tremendous and it will be a real recognition of the demographics of the population."

President Obama is urging the Senate to confirm Sotomayor by August so she can take her place as the ninth justice on the Supreme Court when the new court term begins in October. Sotomayor has been nominated to fill the spot being vacated by Justice David Souter, who has announced his retirement¹⁷.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

3 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

4 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

5 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

6 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

7 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

8 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

9 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

10 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

11 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 lining   

n.衬里，衬料

参考例句：

• The lining of my coat is torn.我的外套衬里破了。
• Moss makes an attractive lining to wire baskets.用苔藓垫在铁丝篮里很漂亮。

13 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

15 blocs   

n.集团，联盟( bloc的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The division of Europe into warring blocs produces ever-increasing centrifugal stress. 把欧洲分为作战集团产生了越来越大的离心效果。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The policy of the two blocs was played out. 把世界分为两个集团的政策已经过时了。 来自辞典例句

16 random   

adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动

参考例句：

• The list is arranged in a random order.名单排列不分先后。
• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。

17 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。