Confirmation hearings begin for Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic woman to be nominated for the Supreme Court.

President Barack Obama ’s pick to fill his first high court vacancy will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday at 10 a.m. EDT/1400 GMT, with hearings expected to last most of the week.

After returning from a weeklong overseas trip, Obama called Sotomayor to wish her luck as she headed to Capitol Hill to face her questioners.

 Sotomayor is expected to win confirmation but will likely face some tough questioning from Republicans who want to spotlight what they fear will be Sotomayor’s “activist” approach to the law.

After a traveling to Russia, Italy and Ghana, Obama settles back into his presidential routine with a day of briefings at the White House.  His only scheduled foray from the White House is when he goes next door to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to speak at an Urban and Metropolitan Policy Roundtable  in the afternoon.

But he will likely be keeping a close eye on what happens on Capitol Hill with the Sotomayor hearings in the Senate. On the House side, committees are expected to formally introduce their healthcare reform bill — addressing Obama’s top legislative agenda. Senate committees are meeting to discuss details of their versions of the bills.

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Photo credit: REUTERS/Jim Young (Sotomayor and Obama at the White House)

Obama’s dream team faces its first test on Tuesday as the Senate holds confirmation hearings for Hillary Clinton and several other Cabinet picks.

The hearings will provide a sneak peak at relations between the Obama administration and Congress. Obama’s fellow Democrats control both chambers, but that’s no guarantee of smooth sailing.

Clinton, nominated for Secretary of State, will have to answer some pointed questions about hubby Bill’s globe-trotting activities, but observers expect her to win confirmation easily. The fun begins at 9:30 EST.

Also on the hot seat today: Energy Secretary nominee Steven Chu; Education Secretary nominee Arne Duncan; Housing and Urban Development Secretary nominee Shaun Donovan; and Peter Orszag, nominated to head the Office of Management and Budget.

Meanwhile, George W. Bush is still president. He holds his last Cabinet meeting today and will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Howard has taken some flak back home because he is staying at the Blair House, across the street from the White House. Obama had hoped to stay at the swanky mansion before taking office next week, but Bush said the space was already booked. Obama and his family are camping out at a nearby hotel, the Hay-Adams.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (Clinton at New Year festivities in Times Square, Dec. 31)

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