Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, today became the fourth Senate Republican to announce she will vote to confirm Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.

That GOP backing all but assures Kagan's confirmation in a vote next week since Democratic opposition is unlikely.

"Throughout my tenure in the Senate, I have applied a uniform standard for evaluating nominees for the United States Supreme Court, under both Republican and Democratic administrations," Snowe said in a statement. "I find that Ms. Kagan has met that standard with the strong intellect, respect for the rule of law, and understanding of the important but limited role of the Supreme Court that I believe is required of any justice."

Snowe added that Kagan's backing from all ten solicitors general since 1985, including five GOP-appointees, was "significant."

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, have also said they will back Kagan. Democrats hope Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., will follow suit. Most Republicans appear set to oppose Kagan's confirmation.