Updated: 1:45 p.m.

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is expected to begin making the rounds on Capitol Hill on Wednesday with courtesy calls expected to be paid to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), aides in both parties said.

Although Kagan’s schedule has not yet been finalized, aides said the sit-downs with the top Senators are likely.

Although often seen as a formality, meetings with lawmakers are viewed as a critical phase of the confirmation process. Following her meetings with lawmakers after President George W. Bush nominated her to the Supreme Court, then-White House counsel Harriet Miers saw her support in the Senate quickly erode, and she ultimately withdrew her name.

Leahy has said he expects a smooth confirmation process for Kagan — who is solicitor general — and is eyeing a confirmation vote by the Fourth of July recess.