WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate officials said Thursday that hearings on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court would begin Jan. 9.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and ranking member Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., made the announcement at a late afternoon news conference.
Alito, 55, was nominated Monday by President Bush to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who said in July she wished to resign. At the time of the White House announcement, Bush asked that Alito's nomination be voted on by the end of the year.
Alito is expected to run into harsh questioning during his confirmation hearings, since many senators say the current U.S. Court of Appeals judge is too conservative, particularly on issues such as abortion. Supporters point to his years on the appeals court as experience that qualifies him for the Supreme Court.
