Chamber of Commerce backs Sotomayor

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce backed Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court on Thursday, saying they expect her to treat businesses fairly as a member of the highest judicial body.

“Consistent with her recent testimony, we expect Judge Sotomayor to engage in fair and evenhanded application of the laws affecting American businesses,” said Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue in a statement.

The backing represents a bit of a surprising public backing of a judicial candidate by the leading business group. The announcement comes before a vote on the Senate floor on Sotomayor’s confirmation next week in which she’s expected to be confirmed with strong Democratic backing and some Republicans’ support.

Donohue explained the Chamber’s reasoning for endorsing the Supreme Court candidate in his statement.

“In recent years, the Supreme Court has played an increasingly important role in deciding issues that affect the business community,” he said. “A healthy economy requires a healthy respect for the rule of law. We expect all the Supreme Court Justices to apply the law fairly and predictably, and not to legislate from the bench.”