WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Statement from SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on the U.S. Senate's 68-31 vote today confirming Sonia Sotomayor's nomination as associate justice to the Supreme Court of the United States:

"Today's vote by the U.S. Senate to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, to serve as the first Latina justice, is truly historic. Throughout her nomination, Judge Sotomayor demonstrated that she is a stellar jurist with a commitment to uphold the constitutional rights of all. The janitors, nurses, security guards, bus drivers and other hardworking members of SEIU have proudly stood with her because her personal story of achievement has given her a rare insight into the lives of people who get up and go to work each day to make a better life for their families.

"Unfortunately, Judge Sotomayor's intelligence, open-mindedness and deep respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, fell onto the deaf ears of too many Republican senators. They chose to side with the right-wing extremist base of their party instead of serving the interests of their districts as a whole. The short-term gain they realize in their campaign fundraising will be outweighed by their continued disconnect with the hopes and dreams of the hardworking American families they claim to represent.

"It is unfortunate that a historic nomination such as Judge Sotomayor's, one that will positively impact our nation for years to come, has been caught in the partisan politics of the past. America voted for a new direction last November and SEIU's members will keep holding Congress accountable to the promises they made on the campaign trail."