Senator looks for answers from Sotomayor on treatment of terror suspects

Sotomayor questioned about terror suspects

WASHINGTON — A member of the Senate Judiciary Committee appears to be trying to determine how Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor might rule in cases involving U.S. treatment of terror suspects.

In response to questioning from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Sotomayor said she believes the nation is at war and that there are people intent on the destruction of the United States.

But she wouldn’t answer Graham’s questions about whether a person who is found to be a member of an enemy force must eventually be returned to battle or released. Sotomayor said she has not practiced military law, though she has read Supreme Court rulings based on that law.