WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The longest-serving Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee told CNN Radio on Thursday that, barring any surprises, Sonia Sotomayor is headed for a Supreme Court confirmation. Judge Sonia Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic on the U.S. Supreme Court. "If there are no otherwise disqualifying matters here, it appears to me she will probably be confirmed," Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said. Hatch was acknowledging the current Senate political landscape. Sotomayor was nominated by a Democrat president, and Democrats could have 60 votes in the 100-member chamber if Minnesota's Al Franken is seated. They now hold 12 of the 19 seats on the Senate Judiciary Committee that will first consider Sotomayor's nomination.
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Sen. Orrin Hatch: Sotomayor confirmation likely if "disqualifying matters" don't appear
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Sotomayor could meet with some senators Tuesday
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Hatch, other Republicans want to wait until September for vote
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Sen. Pat Roberts is first Republican to say publicly he won't vote for nominee
The @placeholder has not announced when the confirmation hearings will begin.