Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will swear in Vice President Joe Biden, becoming the first Hispanic and the fourth woman to administer an inaugural oath of office to a President or Vice President. Latinos voted for Barack Obama by over 70% in November, only the second time any presidential candidate has achieved such support in the past nine presidential elections — the other was Bill Clinton in 1996.
“It’s an incredible honor to have Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor swear me in,” Biden said in a statement: “I believed strongly that she would make a great Justice, and it was one of the greatest pleasures of my career to be involved in her selection to the Court. From the first time I met her, I was impressed by Justice Sotomayor’s commitment to justice and opportunity for all Americans, and she continues to exemplify those values today. Above all, I’m happy for the chance to be sworn in by a friend – and someone I know will continue to do great things “
While a Senator, Biden was very influential in six Supreme Court confirmation hearings, presiding as chairman over the Judiciary Committee. He advised Obama during the vetting process for Sotomayor and lobbied for her.