Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and White House press secretary Robert Gibbs both said today that Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation to the Supreme Court has only become more urgent because of an announcement made today by the high court -- and it's not the Ricci case.

In a rare move, the court decided to schedule a re-argument of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission -- which examines whether a movie critical of then-presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton violated campaign finance laws -- for Sept. 9, during the court's summer recess, instead of early October, when it begins its next term.

"The urgency of her confirmation has become greater as the result of the Supreme Court's action today," Schumer said in a conference call with reporters, adding that this is "another reason we should confirm Sotomayor quickly, so she can be in place to hear it."

In the White House briefing Monday, Gibbs echoed Schumer's thoughts, referencing the same case. "I think that underscores the importance of ensuring that we get a new Supreme Court nominee there in order to become... an active participant in that case, rather than potentially have something that's a four-to-four decision."