With the Senate gearing up for its third look at Judge Sonia Sotomayor in 17 years, the politics of past votes will factor in the debate, with Republicans suggesting they will find fault with her rulings.

But absent embarrassing revelations during the confirmation process, Republicans have acknowledged they likely lack the votes to block her ascension to the Supreme Court.

"Senate Republicans will treat Judge Sotomayor fairly," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said. "But we will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences."

Nearly every Republican member of the Judiciary Committee, which will hold confirmation hearings, used a similar script. Judiciary ranking member Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., for example, said panel Republicans would examine her "previous judicial opinions, speeches and academic writings to determine if she has demonstrated the characteristics that great judges share: integrity, impartiality, legal expertise and a deep and unwavering respect for the rule of law."

Sotomayor was nominated as a district court judge by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 and to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1997 by President Bill Clinton, winning Senate confirmation both times.

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