Key Excerpt: Specter and Sotomayor on Caseloads

Courtesy of CQ Transcriptions

SEN. SPECTER: During his confirmation hearings, Chief Justice Roberts said the court, quote, "could contribute more to the clarity and uniformity of the law by taking more cases."

Judge Sotomayor, do you agree with that statement by Chief Justice Roberts?

JUDGE SOTOMAYOR: I know, Senator Specter, that there is questions by many people, including senators and yourself of Justice Roberts and other nominees about this issue. Can the court take on more? To the extent that there's concern about it, not that public opinion should drive the justices to take more cases just to take them, but I think what Judge -- Justice Roberts was saying is the court needs to think about its processes to ensure that it's fulfilling...

SPECTER: Judge Sotomayor, how about more cases?

SOTOMAYOR: Well, perhaps I need to explain to you that I don't like making statements about what I think the court can do until I've experienced the process.

Read more of the exchange between Sen. Specter and Judge Sotomayor here.