Kagan hearing: how the proceedings will likely unfold

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday begins its anticipated week-long confirmation hearing on President Barack Obama’s nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here’s a look at how the nationally broadcast proceeding will likely unfold:

MONDAY, June 28

* At 12:30 p.m. EDT/1630 GMT, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy pounds his gavel to open hearing. Each of the 12 Democrats and seven Republicans on the panel give opening statements of up to 10 minutes.

* Kagan, a former Harvard law school dean who served the past year as Obama’s solicitor general, will be introduced by Senators John Kerry, a Democrat, and Scott Brown, a Republican, both of Massachusetts.

* Kagan will be sworn in by Leahy and then make her opening statement, likely at about 3:45 p.m. EDT/1945 GMT. Afterward, the hearing will recess for the day.

TUESDAY, June 29

* The hearing is expected to resume between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. EDT/1300 and 1400 GMT, with questioning of Kagan. Each senator will be allotted 30 minutes in the first round.

WEDNESDAY, June 30

* Hearing expected to resume between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. EDT/1300 and 1400 GMT. First round of questions expected to be completed by midday. Committee will then move into a closed-door session with Kagan to discuss her FBI background review.

* After a lunch break, the committee resumes open session and begins a second round of questions. This time, each senator will be allotted up to 20 minutes for questions.

THURSDAY, JULY 1

* Hearing expected to resume between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. EDT/1300 and 1400 GMT. If the committee has not completed its second round of questioning, it likely will do so on Thursday. Some senators may request additional time. Committee will then hear from outside witnesses. Hearing will likely conclude Thursday or Friday.

* FRIDAY, July 2

* If hearing doesn’t conclude on Thursday, it will resume on Friday, likely between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. EDT/1300 and 1400 GMT. Once it ends, committee members will join other lawmakers for the weeklong July 4th recess.

* Committee members are typically given a week to submit any written questions. After Kagan answers them, the committee will vote on whether to recommend her for confirmation by the full Senate.

* Regardless of the recommendation, a Supreme Court nominee traditionally goes to the full Senate for consideration. After at least a few days of debate, the Democratic-led Senate will vote on whether to confirm the nominee. Leahy aims to get a vote before lawmakers begin their August recess.

* A simple majority vote by the 100-member chamber would be needed to confirm Kagan. If the nominee prevails, she will likely go straight to the White House to be sworn in, probably by Chief Justice John Roberts. If he is unavailable, another justice will do the honors.

* The court starts its new term in October.