Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) announced from the Senate floor today that he will not support the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

Despite being "immensely qualified" and packing an "inspiring and compelling" life story, "an excellent resume and an inspiring life story are not enough to qualify one for a lifetime of service on the Supreme Court," McCain said. "Those who suggest otherwise need to be reminded of Miguel Estrada."

The Democrats' filibuster of Estrada's nomination to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by George W. Bush remains a sore point for many Republicans, as they believe he was equally qualified and was headed to being the first Latino on the Supreme Court.

McCain's good friend, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), cited Estrada's nomination experience as well in his remarks during Sotomayor's time before the Judiciary Committee. However, Graham said he will vote to confirm Sotomayor in hopes of altering the partisan trajectory judicial confirmation debates have been on in recent years -- including with Estrada.

Graham also said the president deserves some deference when it comes to nominating judges to the federal bench -- even President Obama, whom Graham campaigned against.

McCain, though, said he could not ignore Sotomayor's record, which he said was that of a judicial activist. "An individual who does not appreciate the common sense limitations on judicial power in our democratic system of government ultimately lacks a key qualification for a lifetime appointment to the bench," he said. "For this reason, and no other, I am unable to support Judge Sotomayor's nomination."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) often dismisses reporters' questions on the possibility of reconciliation for health care reform, as his goal has always been to win bipartisan agreement on a plan. Today, though, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), vice chairman of the Democratic Conference, left no doubt that the maneuver -- which allows the majority party to pass a bill with just 51 votes rather than 60 -- remains on the table.

"No matter what happens, we're going to enact health care reform by the end of the year," Schumer said on a conference call with reporters. "And we hope it can be struck in a compromise with our Republican colleagues by September 15, but if the Republicans are not able to produce an agreement we will have contingencies in place. These plans will likely only be considered as a last resort, but make no mistake about it, they remain on the table."

Schumer later clarified that reconciliation was indeed one of the "contingincies in place," though he stressed that getting a bipartisan bill was everyone's priority.

"We hope to get a bipartisan agreement. That's goal one. If we can't do that, the second goal is to get a bill done," he said.

A new web video from the office of House Minority Leader John Boehner compares a famous TV ad -- "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV" -- with some of President Obama's speeches on health care. In the ad, that line is replayed multiple times following excerpts of statements by Obama, and it concludes by directing viewers to GOPLeader.gov "for better solutions."

Democratic National Committee press secretary Hari Sevugan responded to the video with the following statement:

"John Boehner isn't an insurance company executive, but he sure plays one in the U.S. House of Representatives. That's the only explanation for admittedly working to 'kill' health insurance reform while premiums for the average American family are rising three times faster than their wages, while small businesses are choosing between offering coverage and creating jobs, and when controlling runaway health care costs is necessary to get the economy fully back on track. John Boehner and the Republicans that would follow him may not officially be insurance agents, but in working to 'kill' reform they are proving that they are certainly agents of the status quo."

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said today he will not vote to confirm Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court. The Senate is set to vote on her confirmation this week after the Judiciary Committee approved her nomination July 28.

"For 220 years, presidents have sought out judges and justices who fulfill the requirement that they put aside any personal opinions and apply appropriate U.S. law to impartially resolve disputes," Kyl wrote in a long statement. "I have not been persuaded that Judge Sotomayor will uphold this important tradition. For these reasons, and others, I will oppose her confirmation."

Kyl, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, first announced his opposition to Sotomayor's nomination July 22. Just one Republican on the committee, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, voted to send her nomination to the floor of the Senate.

Kyl said Sotomayor's judicial record gives him "reason to believe she will not set aside her own personal biases when deciding a case."