Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley had what he called a “cordial” breakfast with Merrick Garland Tuesday, but said afterwards that his position that no hearings be held for the Supreme Court nominee has not changed.
“The meeting was cordial and pleasant,” a readout from Grassley’s office about the roughly hour-long meeting said. “As he indicated last week, Grassley explained why the Senate won’t be moving forward during this hyper-partisan election year. Grassley thanked Judge Garland for his service.”
The Iowa senator tweeted a link to an Instagram post showing Grassley and Garland at breakfast.
“Had pleasant bfast w Judge Garland this morning. Explained why the Senate won’t be moving fwd w his nomination. Next prez will decide after the ppl have a voice,” the caption reads under the photograph.
Garland is also scheduled to meet with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., on Tuesday.
Grassley and other GOP leaders have said the Senate Judiciary Committee will not hold hearings on Garland, who was nominated by President Obama to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia roughly a month ago. That position has led to criticism from Democrats that the GOP is shirking its duty to at least consider Garland’s nomination, even if it means voting him down on the floor.
