GOP Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has flatly told President Barack Obama's pick for the Supreme Court the Senate won't consider his nomination.
During a 70-minute breakfast meeting Tuesday between Grassley and Obama nominee Merrick Garland, the Iowa Republican "explained why the Senate won't be moving forward during this hyper-partisan election year," Grassley's office said,
The Washington Times reports.
But Grassley "thanked Judge Garland for his service" at the meeting, which was "cordial and pleasant," the statement added, the Times reports.
The head of the conservative activist group, Judicial Crisis Network, praised Grassley "for standing with us" and remaining firm on his stance to not even consider the pick this year.
"Grassley understands that Merrick Garland will be the decisive fifth vote on the Court to gut the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and the fifth vote to defer to unaccountable bureaucrats at federal agencies like the EPA," Carrie Severino tells the Washington Times.
But
The Hill reports Grassley is still getting pressure from Democrats and outside groups to change his mind.
Even a local cafe in Des Moines is getting into the act, naming menu items after the fight including " Obstruction Oats" and the "Justice Delayed Bowl," according to a
CBS affiliate.
The Hill reports approximately 17 GOP senators have suggested they're open to meeting with Garland, but only two, GOP Sens. Mark Kirk of Illinois and Susan Collins of Maine, support hearings.