BURLINGTON, May 26 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on the announcement today by President Obama that he will nominate federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor for a seat on the Supreme Court.

“In nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, I very much appreciate that President Obama is attempting to address the gender and ethnic imbalance that currently exists in the highest court in our land.  As the nominating process unfolds, I look forward to hearing Judge Sotomayor’s views on the most important issues that the Supreme Court will be addressing.

“I am especially interested in her views on privacy rights and how, in these times of international tension, we can preserve our civil liberties and constitutional rights while we defend our nation against those who would do us harm.  At a time of growing corporate power, I also want to ascertain her views as to how the courts can protect the rights of workers and consumers against the abuses of large and powerful corporations.”