Sotomayor hearings to begin July 13

updated 7:07 p.m. ET June 9, 2009

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats, determined to seat Sonia Sotomayor on the Supreme Court quickly, announced mid-July hearings on her nomination Tuesday in a move that surprised and angered Republicans.  

GOP leaders lashed out after Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, announced that he would convene the hearings on July 13 — considerably earlier than Republicans wanted — saying the date presents a "fair and adequate" schedule in line with the timeline for past Supreme Court nominees.

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, called the Democrats' tactics "heavy-handed" and urged them to reconsider the schedule.

"Let me be clear. ... Because of what our Democratic colleagues are doing and the way they are doing it, it will now be much more difficult to achieve the kind of comity and cooperation on this and other matters that we need and expect around here," McConnell said.

President Barack Obama has urged the Senate to vote on confirming Sotomayor to the high court before it leaves for a congressional recess in August, but Republicans say they need more time to review her nearly 17-year record on the federal bench and that a September vote would provide plenty of time before the court term begins in October.

'Historic nomination'
Leahy said there was "no reason to unduly delay consideration of this well-qualified nominee. She deserves the opportunity to go before the public and speak of her record." He said the hearings will be her first and only opportunity to publicly defend herself against criticism, including conservative charges that she's racist.

"This is a historic nomination, and I hope all senators will cooperate," Leahy said. "She deserves a fair hearing — not trial by attack and assaults about her character."

Republicans were blindsided by Leahy's announcement but cognizant that they have few options short of moving to block votes on Sotomayor or hold up Senate business — both politically unpalatable choices — to delay the timetable. Instead, they complained about the schedule and warned they would press their argument.

"I'm going to insist that we do it right," said Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, who had been in private negotiations with Leahy on a hearing date. "This rush is ill-advised,"

At the White House, spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama was pleased with the schedule.

Leahy and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., spoke to Obama by phone Tuesday morning before Leahy went to the Senate floor to announce the hearing date.

Mid-July hearings should allow for a vote on confirming Sotomayor before the August break, Leahy said, "unless people put unnecessary delays" on the nomination. He noted that the timetable roughly matches the one Republicans and Democrats agreed on for confirming Chief Justice John G. Roberts after then-President George W. Bush named him in 2005.

MORE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

The White House Section Front

Obama remembers Fort Hood victims Confidence in Obama slips more, poll shows White House communications chief to quit Rough road ahead for health care in Senate Israeli prime minister calls for peace talks Obama praises bravery after base attack Cheney blasts probe of CIA interrogations Many young voters skip election Republican wins deal blow to Obama White House distances itself from losses The White House Section Front   Add The White House headlines to your news reader: