US top court nominee faces Senate
Published:Monday | July 13, 2009 | 5:26 PM
Confirmation hearings have begun in the US for Sonia Sotomayor, who could become the first Hispanic to serve on the Supreme Court.
Republican senators have indicated that they will use the hearings to press her to explain past rulings and comments.
These include her remark that a wise Latina could reach better legal conclusions than a white man.
The hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee began with opening comments by the 12 Democratic and seven Republican senators.
The senators are expected to begin questioning her tomorrow in an attempt to find out more about her legal thinking.
Both sides will also call witnesses.