Dear Conservative Friend,

President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court brings to the forefront a fundamental question: Should judges interpret law or make law?

Put another way: Should judges' rulings be based on how they interpret the Constitution or how they feel about an issue?

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have a first-hand understanding of how important judicial philosophy is to our court system. I believe judges, and especially Supreme Court Justices, must stand with the Constitution. That's why I'm proud to announce a new effort, ProtectTheCourts.com - a special project of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) that is working hard to preserve a court system that interprets the laws as written rather than one that attempts to legislate from the bench.

I encourage you to visit this Web site and join in the efforts to protect the courts from activist judges. Also, with Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearings scheduled to begin next week before the Judiciary Committee, we'd like to hear your thoughts and invite you to submit questions that you feel should be addressed as the Senate considers this lifetime appointment.

It's our hope that ProtectTheCourts.com will serve as an important hub for the conversation that should be taking place between concerned citizens like yourself and your representatives in government on the critical issue of judicial nominations. Please check our blog often for a sampling of questions submitted by supporters just like you.

With its lifetime appointment, this Supreme Court selection carries a significant impact that will last long beyond the Obama administration. Indeed, it will affect the make-up of the Court for decades to come.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has admitted he hasn't read any of Ms. Sotomayor's previous legal opinions, and hopes he doesn't have to. I believe that it is not only appropriate - but constitutionally required - that the Senate thoroughly examine any nominee's experience and qualifications before granting them a lifetime appointment to the bench.

ProtectTheCourts.com seeks to provide background, information, and news related to federal judicial nominees and their judicial philosophies - and I hope you will join in these important efforts. Click here to sign up as a part of this important cause.

Sincerely,

Senator John Cornyn
Chairman