2 minutes ago 2009-12-15T02:58:02-08:00
The Senate Judiciary Committee recessed until Tuesday -- around 3 p.m. EDT and just five hours after the Chairman Patrick Leahy banged the gavel to open the hearing. That's remarkable for the Senate, which is known for being less than brief.
Leahy said he'd make sure that committee members abided by their opening statement time limits, and he held true to his word. He even cut off New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as she was introducing Sotomayor.
What about the first day of confirmation hearings for John Roberts and Samuel Alito? "They went a lot longer than this," says AP Supreme Court reporter Jesse J. Holland, who was there.
Though the midafternoon recess was a bit of a surprise, it also made a bit of sense. It doesn't make much sense to start questions in the middle of the afternoon, only to break after an hour or so.
Questions will start Tuesday morning when the committee reconvenes.
-Beth Davidz, AP reporter, Washington
