By Peter Urban
Stephens Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate is expected to begin debate next week on 10 judicial nominations, including Susan Hickey to serve on the federal bench in Western District of Arkansas.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced late Monday that a deal had been reached to consider 10 of 27 nominees that have cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Senate will begin debate when lawmakers return to session next week. Hickey’s confirmation is not expected to come up before Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 15-3 on July 14 to approve Hickey’s nomination to fill the seat of retired U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes. At the time, Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the panel, expressed some concerns about her qualifications for such a lifetime appointment.

Hickey has “no litigation experience” as an attorney and has presided over just two criminal bench trials in her limited time as a state court judge, he noted.

“Federal judges should have significant courtroom and trial experience as a litigator or judge,” Grassley said. “This is not the place for on-the-job training.”

Hickey has served as a circuit judge for the 13th Judicial District in El Dorado since Gov. Mike Beebe appointed her in September 2010. Before that she was a law clerk for Barnes.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said Hickey had received a positive rating from the American Bar Association and had presided over 172 cases.

Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, also noted that the Senate had confirmed many nominees offered by former President George W. Bush that appeared less qualified than Hickey.

President Barack Obama nominated Hickey in April.