Government Motors

Earlier today, President Obama announced plans to provide another $30 billion in federal money to General Motors in addition to $20 billion received from earlier bailouts. Under this reorganization plan, the American taxpayers will hold a 60 percent ownership stake General Motors.

I believe putting the federal government in this large of an ownership position of a private company is the wrong approach. General Motors should be allowed to enter into bankruptcy without the Obama Administration dictating a restructuring plan and the taxpayers taking on the risk.

History has shown the federal government cannot run a business effectively. Moving forward, the Administration must provide the taxpayers with strict guidelines for how this company will be run as it reemerges from bankruptcy and a clear exit strategy for getting their money back and fully returning this company to private hands.

Judge Sotomayor

The nomination of any individual to the Supreme Court is always an historic event for our country. Although Judge Sotomayor has a qualified legal background and a unique personal story, I do not believe these are the only qualifications for confirmation to the Supreme Court.

Like many of you, I am concerned by previous statements made by Judge Sotomayor regarding the role of judges as "policymakers". I fundamentally believe that judges should not legislate from the bench and should fairly interpret the laws in strict adherence to the Constitution.

As my Senate colleagues move forward with the confirmation process, I hope they will carefully examine Judge Sotomayor's record and determine how she views the role of an Associate Supreme Court justice that will be a lifetime appointment.