Senate Sets Tuesday for Vote on Thomas

Senate leaders Tuesday agreed to vote on the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court next Tuesday, one day after the court begins its fall session.

Earlier Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall announced that he wants to retire immediately.

Marshall, in announcing his retirement from the nation’s high court in June, had said he would depart when his successor was approved by the Senate. Bush then nominated Thomas, a black conservative judge, for the seat.

“I now request that my retirement become effective as of this date,” Marshall said in a two-sentence letter sent to the White House on Tuesday and released by the Supreme Court.

Under the agreement reached in the Senate, debate on the nomination will begin Thursday with the vote scheduled the following Tuesday afternoon. Thomas is expected to be confirmed, although many senators have not said how they will vote.