Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings Start July 13

Confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor will convene on July 13, says the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman. Patrick Leahy said the date represents a "reasonable schedule" that would give committee members several more weeks to prepare. President Obama has urged the Senate to vote before it leaves for a congressional recess in August; Republicans have pressed for more time to consider the nomination.

But Leahy said there was "no reason to unduly delay consideration of this well-qualified nominee. She deserves the opportunity to go before the public and speak of her record." Leahy said that as a judge, Sotomayor will only be able to speak publicly about her record when the hearings convene. (More US Supreme Court stories.)