Two major votes loom as the Senate prepares to take its August break

Supporters of Sonia Sotomayor came out in force as the Senate vote nears.

“This is a vote that will matter and will long remembered by our Latino community,“ said Janet Murguia, Executive VP of LaRaza.

Union, civil rights and Hispanic groups joined democrats to brush aside GOP criticism.

“I am not convinced Judge Sotomayor will set aside her personal judgments and views,“ said Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas.

Eight Republicans are expected to break ranks and vote yes.

That would give Judge Sotomayor more senate votes than Justice Alito, fewer than Chief Justice Roberts.

“My vote for her confirmation will be based solely and wholly on relevant qualifications,“ said Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida.

“I will support her, I’ll be proud for her, the community she represents and the American dream she shows is possible,“ said Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri.

Also on the Senate agenda…whether to keep Cash For Clunkers alive.

President Obama wants it, saying, “What you’ve seen is not only greatly improved sales in the showrooms, but what you’ve also seen is the trade-ins have improved fuel efficiency by about ten percent per vehicle.“

Critics went to a dealer in Missouri pushing back. One protestor said, “The billions of dollars we’re spending on cash for clunkers we don’t have.“

Many GOP Senators agree.

Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire said on CNBC;s “Squawk Box,” “I’m not going to pass a bill onto our kids of two billion dollars 22 to buy a car today, that’s just not fair to our children to keep doing this to them. 

Sen. Harry Reid , the Senate Majority Leader said,  “I’ve had a number of very good conversations with the Republican leader.“

But Democrats say they have a majority ready to pump more cash to dealers and buyers and crush clunkers in the process.