White House: Sotomayor’s swift survey response builds case for timely confirmation hearings

White House builds case for swift confirmation

WASHINGTON — The White House says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s quick response to an extensive Senate survey should lead to swift confirmation hearings.

White House counsel Gregory Craig said Sotomayor (soh-toh-my-YOR’) completed substantive answers to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s questions in nine days. In a posting on the White House Web site, Craig called that response a “historically fast completion” that will “hopefully lead to her swift consideration by the Senate.”

President Barack Obama has nominated Sotomayor to replace the retiring Justice David Souter.

The White House wants the Senate to hold hearings in July and hold a confirmation vote by early August. Some Republicans on the committee want more time than that.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor says her personal assets top $1 million.

Her $1.16 million in assets include her Greenwich Village condo, valued at $997,500; a $20,000 stake in another condominium; and about $109,000 in cars and other personal property. Her financial statement shows she has $31,985 in the bank.

Sotomayor released details about her finances as part of a massive portfolio of documents she sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday in response to a questionnaire about her background and writings. It shows her personal assets amount to far less than others who President Obama considered nominating for the high court.

Sotomayor has $418,350 in debts, most of it mortgage debt.