WASHINGTON (WOWO): Indiana’s junior U.S. senator met with President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.
Joe Donnelly sat down Monday morning with Judge Merrick Garland, who was nominated earlier this month by President Obama to fill late Justice Antonin Scalia’s seat in the U.S. Supreme Court. He’s the sixth Democratic senator to meet with Garland so far.
“Judge Garland and I had a substantive conversation.” Donnelly said in a statement. “I had the chance to get to know him, ask him questions, and learn about his time on the D.C. Circuit, and views on the role of the Court. I was impressed with his deep knowledge of the law and his commitment to public service and our country.
“Part of my job as a Senator is to meet with and thoroughly consider judicial nominees,” Donnelly said. “I hope my Senate colleagues will do their jobs and meet with Judge Garland, ask him questions, learn about his record and his temperament, and then hold hearings and an up or down vote on his nomination.”
Republicans in the U.S. Senate, including Dan Coats, have said they will not consider any nomination made by Obama this year.
RELATED: Obama nominates Merrick Garland for Supreme Court
(1/2)Joe met w/ #SCOTUSnominee Judge Garland to discuss his experience as a judge & earlier work for @TheJusticeDept pic.twitter.com/KoZn8VFPFa
— Senator Joe Donnelly (@SenDonnelly) March 28, 2016
(2/2) Read Joe’s statement on his meeting with #SCOTUSnominee Judge Garland. pic.twitter.com/YcPWanmxQS
— Senator Joe Donnelly (@SenDonnelly) March 28, 2016
