GOP Foresees August Vote on Sotomayor

Republicans cleared the way today for a Senate vote next month to confirm Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, placing her firmly in line to become the first Hispanic justice. "I look forward to you getting that vote before we recess in August," said Jeff Sessions, the senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee. He spoke as Sotomayor neared the end of three grueling days in the committee's witness chair.

Sessions said he would not support any attempt to block a vote on confirmation and didn't believe any other Republican would, either. Sotomayor has overwhelming if not unanimous support among the Senate's 60 Democrats. If confirmed, she would become the first justice appointed by a Democratic president in 15 years. Sotomayor drew praise from Republicans and Democrats alike as she was wrapping up her time before the committee at the nationally televised hearing. (More Sonia Sotomayor stories.)