GOP wants 60 days for high court nominee

WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans said Wednesday they would like to have the traditional 60 days to review President Barack Obama's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Senate leaders from both parties met with Obama to discuss his choice to replace Justice David Souter, who is retiring.

After the meeting, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and the Judiciary Committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, said they thought the Senate should be able to vote on Obama's nominee before the first Monday in October when the court returns to session, The Hill said. The Republicans also said they wanted 60 days from the time the nominee is introduced to the time of a Judiciary Committee hearing.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama "made clear that he welcomed consultation during the nomination and confirmation process."

"He reiterated that he would choose a nominee who respects the Constitution and judicial precedent and also has the good judgment and common sense to reach fair decisions," Gibbs told the Washington publication.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who also attended the meeting, told reporters "the Judiciary Committee is the busiest committee we have in the Senate."

Reid added that he wants to move "as quickly as possible, but we'll have to wait and see."