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By Matthew S. Schwartz
Legal Affairs Correspondent - Talk Radio News Service

The confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor may be a sure thing, but Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have requested a one-week delay in the committee vote.

Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said he was "disappointed" by the delay, but "they have a right to put it over." Republicans informed him over the weekend of their intent to delay the vote to next Tuesday. If the committee approves her, the vote will go to the full Senate floor.

Leahy stressed the importance of confirming Sotomayor quickly, as the Supreme Court reconvenes early next term to hear a case on the constitutionality of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill. "I hope that once she is passed out of this committee, there will be no delay on the floor, because she will have a very, very few weeks after she is confirmed to move to Washington" and prepare for the case, he said. "Delay would not help either her or the Supreme Court."

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Al.) said that even with the delay, "Confirmation, if it occurs, will occur sooner than even John Roberts." Chief Justice Roberts began his Judiciary Committee hearings on Sept. 12, 2005, and was confirmed by the full Senate on Sept. 29.

Just 10 members of the 19-member Judiciary Committee showed up Tuesday, the minimum needed for committee business to take place.

Leahy told reporters he doesn't know how long the floor debate will last, but it should be quick because senators should all know how they plan to vote by the time the official debate starts.