Republicans protest Democrats’ quick timetable for Sotomayor hearings

Republicans balk at Sotomayor hearing date

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are protesting Democrats’ decision to schedule confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor for July 13, saying they need more time to review her record.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, says the date is too early and unrealistic. GOP Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is accusing Democrats of using “heavy-handed” tactics. He says their actions threaten the cooperation the Senate runs on.

The chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy, announced the timetable Tuesday without giving Republicans notice he was doing so after private negotiations with Sessions yielded no bipartisan agreement on a date.