Washington (CNN) -- President Obama took a key step in cementing his judicial legacy Monday, nominating Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court. If confirmed, the 50-year-old Kagan will become the 112th Supreme Court justice. She would be the third woman on the nine-member bench and the fourth in the history of the court. At its discretion, the court decides cases on the Constitution or federal law that may begin in federal or state courts. Her confirmation also would mean that the Supreme Court would have no Protestant justices for the first time in its history. Kagan, who is Jewish, would join six Catholic and two Jewish justices; Stevens is Protestant.
@highlight
NEW: Kagan hearings could wrap up by early August, GOP senator says
@highlight
Republicans promise close look at Kagan's record; one says filibuster unlikely
@highlight
Kagan has argued several high-profile cases before the Supreme Court
@highlight
Conservative critics say she is too inexperienced to serve on the high court
Obama did not have to look far when considering @placeholder.
He dismissed likely GOP criticism of the choice, saying @placeholder "could nominate Moses the lawgiver" and still face Republican opposition.