WASHINGTON - July 28 - NOW applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee's 13 to 6 vote recommending confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"At the risk of upsetting Senator Sessions, I am pleased that this 'wise Latina' is one step closer to joining Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the high court," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "As the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman, Judge Sotomayor will add a much needed perspective to a bench dominated by white males."

The full Senate is expected to vote on Sotomayor's confirmation by the end of next week. NOW will be watching the vote closely.

"Racism and sexism have driven far too much of the public discourse about the superbly qualified Sotomayor, and all the fiery temperaments on display last week during her Senate confirmation hearing -- those outrageous questions and comments -- seemed to belong to privileged white men," said O'Neill. "Sotomayor's impressive experience should guarantee her a strong vote on the floor, and her notable rise to the high court should serve as inspiration to women and girls across the country and around the world."