Garland preps for confirmation hearings though only two Republicans publicly support the idea
Judge Merrick Garland. Photo courtesy of the White House.
Sixteen Republican senators have said they will meet with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, a number that is viewed as an early victory by President Obama’s allies.
Garland is prepping for confirmation hearings and will meet with two Republican senators this week, report the New York Times and the Washington Post. Next Garland will fill out an extensive questionnaire that will be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee whether or not there is a request for the form.
The preparations, according to the Times, “are part of a deliberate White House strategy to ignore the fact that Republicans have refused to even consider his nomination.” The idea, the Times says, it that acting as if the nomination will be considered is the best way to maximize pressure for a vote.
The GOP senators meeting with Garland this week are John Boozman of Arkansas and Susan Collins of Maine. However, only two Republican senators have publicly favored holding hearings on Garland—Collins and Mark Kirk of Illinois.
Appearing at a Politico event on Friday, White House counsel Neil Eggleston expressed optimism, saying he thinks Garland has “a really good chance” of confirmation, the National Law Journal (sub. req.) reports.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, says he expects Democrats to try to force at least a procedural vote on Garland’s nomination in what is known as a motion to discharge, Roll Call reported last week. If the maneuver leads to a debate, 60 votes would be needed to move forward, which would be difficult for the 46-member Democratic caucus, Grassley said.
