SCOTUS Nominee Continues Prepping Despite Senate Blockade

Merrick Garland, President Obama’s nominee to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, is continuing to prepare as though the Senate will hold hearings, despite many Republican vows to stave off any actions until a new president is elected. Garland is spending his days in “businesslike” meetings in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, and setting up meetings with Republican leaders. Though Republicans have said they are united in blocking Garland’s nomination, so far 16 Senators have agreed to meet with him. Another factor: Garland has garnered support from high-profile Republican lawyers, including former Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and Kenneth Starr, who served as solicitor general under President George Bush.