SALON

Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 4:25 PM UTC

Sessions concedes Sotomayor confirmation inevitable

The Judiciary Committee's leading Republican says there won't be a filibuster

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Topics: War Room, Jeff Sessions,

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the leading Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, just admitted reality: Judge Sonia Sotomayor will, almost certainly, end up on the Supreme Court.

“I will not support and I don’t think any Republican will support a filibuster or an attempt to block a vote on your nomination,” Sessions told Sotomayor during hearings Thursday.

Given the Democrats’ overwhelming majority in the Senate, there’s no way — barring some major revelation — that Republicans could stop Sotomayor from being confirmed without launching a filibuster. The senator’s statement is, then, essentially an admission of defeat.

Sessions also said he anticipates a vote before the Senate goes into its August recess — that is, right on the schedule committee Chair Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., had wanted.

Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon. More Alex Koppelman.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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