Aug. 8--Sens differ on Sotomayor, too

North Carolina's senators also disagreed on the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr praised her "impressive academic credentials, a lengthy judicial record, and a personal story that is inspiring to many Americans" but said he was troubled by her past decisions.

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan said, "With 17 years on the federal bench, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has more federal judicial experience than any Supreme Court nominee in 100 years. SLps She has an established record as a moderate judge whose decisions show a respect for precedent."

Jones sets record straight on pilots

U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones introduced a resolution this week to clarify a 2000 crash of an Osprey was not a result of aircrew human factors or pilot error.

On April 8, 2000, Lt. Col. John A. Brow and Maj. Brooks S. Gruber, a resident of Jacksonville, N.C., were the Marine pilots of an MV-22 Osprey that crashed during a training mission in Arizona. Both pilots and 17 other Marines were killed.

"Over the past nine years, I have worked with many aviation experts in the Corps, and outside the Corps who helped me reach the conclusion that Lt. Col. Brow and Maj. Gruber were not at fault for the crash," Jones said.

Hagan for, Burr against 'Clunkers' extension

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan voted Thursday to extend the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program with an additional $2 billion.

"This program is creating much-need business at car dealerships in North Carolina and across the country," Hagan, D-N.C., said. "I am glad the Senate acted quickly to ensure that people can continue trading in their clunkers for energy-efficient cars, a benefit to our economy and to the environment."

Robert Glaser, president of the N.C. Automobile Dealers Association, said, "Cash for Clunkers has been crucial for getting consumers on our lots and has helped increase auto sales. We appreciate Senator Hagan's pragmatic vote in support of a program that will help protect auto jobs in North Carolina."

The Senate decided by a 60-37 vote Thursday to redirect $2 billion from a $6 billion energy efficiency account to the Car Allowance Rebate System, known as Cash for Clunkers.

N.C.'s senior senator, Richard Burr, a Republican, voted against the extension.

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