March 26--Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk will meet Tuesday with President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee as GOP Senate leaders refuse to hold confirmation hearings to consider the nominee.
Kirk's office said Friday it would hold the meeting, following remarks by Kirk last week that the GOP-controlled Senate should "man up" and have an up-or-down vote on the nominee, Illinoisan Merrick Garland.
Garland is Obama's choice to succeed Justice Antonin Scalia, a leading conservative voice on the court who died last month.
Kirk is facing a tough re-election fight in November. He's being challenged by Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth.
In calling for a confirmation vote, Kirk said last week that the Constitution states that it is the president's role to nominate, and the Senate's job to advise and consent. He expressed interest in meeting with Garland to discuss the nominee's views on the Constitution.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has argued that the selection of a new Supreme Court justice should be left to Obama's successor.
Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He grew up in Lincolnwood and attended Niles West High School in Skokie.
kgeiger@tribpub.com
