Back in the United States, the Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to back Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The 13-to-6 vote split along party lines with the exception of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who voted with the Democratic majority.

Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I feel good about the country. I feel really good about the American people. And quite frankly, I feel good about Judge Sotomayor. This is first Latino woman in the history of the United States to be selected for the Supreme Court. Now that is a big deal. I would not have chosen her, but I understand why President Obama did.”

Democratic Senator Arlen Specter, a former Republican, meanwhile said he supported the “wise Latina” comment that was scrutinized by Sotomayor’s critics.

Sen. Arlen Specter: “And when she refers to being a Latino, that’s a little ethnic pride. I think that’s a pretty healthy thing, to have a little ethnic pride. So, I not only found — I didn’t find fault with the 'wise Latina' woman; I thought it was commendable.”

The full Senate is expected to confirm Sotomayor in a vote next week.