Legal Beat

Nealy 11 hours into its fourth day, Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearing has concluded.

The 19-member Judiciary Committee conducted three rounds of questions of Sotomayor over three days and heard from more than two dozen outside witnesses when Ted Kaufman, D-Del., gaveled the proceedings to a close just after 8 p.m.

Just a smattering of audience members and reporters remained in the once-packed hearing room.

Sotomayor's hearing was a day shorter than the last Supreme Court nominee, Samuel A. Alito Jr., in January of 2006.

The committee could vote on Sotomayor's nomination as soon as next week.