WASHINGTON (AP) – Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey has become the latest Republican senator to say he’ll meet with President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.
But Toomey says that when he sits down with Merrick Garland, he’ll tell him the Senate won’t fill the vacancy until a new president is elected. He says he’ll meet Garland “out of courtesy and respect” for him and Obama.
At least nine Republican senators have said they will meet with Obama’s selection or indicated an openness to it. Six of them face re-election this November, including Toomey.
Led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, most Republicans say the late Justice Antonin Scalia won’t be replaced until the next president picks a nominee.
Democrats say the issue will cause some GOP senators to face defeat this fall.