Politics | Supreme Court Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings Start July 13 Senate judiciary chair: it's a 'reasonable schedule' By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jun 9, 2009 11:40 AM CDT Copied Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor meets with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) 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. Read These Next Defense officials react to Hegseth's Quantico meeting. Government shutdown is here. Here's what to expect. Colorado wants to give 'peace of mind' on Hunter S. Thompson. President asks nation's top generals to loosen up. Report an error