Mike DeBonis reported yesterday at The Washington Post Online that, “The man standing between Supreme Court nominee Merrick B. Garland and a Senate hearing on his confirmation said Tuesday that an hourlong meeting with Garland had done nothing to change his mind.
“Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), the Judiciary Committee chairman, hosted Garland for breakfast in the private Senate Dining Room in what was the most anticipated meeting yet between a GOP senator and President Obama’s choice for the high court.
“Garland kept silent upon leaving, as is customary for Supreme Court nominees, and Grassley left through a back door without speaking to reporters. His office later issued a statement calling the meeting ‘cordial and pleasant’ but one that did not change Grassley’s determination not to act.”
For more on the dynamics of an eight member U.S. Supreme Court, see this blog update from earlier this month.