Gardner, Grassley Back Vote On Supreme Court Nominee, Boosting Odds Of Confirmation

Topline

Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Monday they would support voting on a Supreme Court nominee, making it much more likely that President Trump’s pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will make it to the bench.

Key Facts

Surprising Fact

As many as 17 Republican senators said at one time or another that they would oppose confirming a nominee this year, though several have already switched their positions including Senate Judiciary Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Chief Critic

Democrats have vowed to do everything in their power to prevent Trump from confirming a nominee. “We have arrows in our quiver,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday, replying “we have our options” when asked if she would launch renewed impeachment proceedings against Trump to stymie his efforts.

What To Watch For

Trump said Monday he narrowed down his list of potential nominees to five women and that he will probably announce his choice by Friday. The candidates reportedly atop the list is Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a devout Catholic and abortion opponent with scant judicial experience, having been confirmed to the Seventh Circuit in 2017. Also in consideration is Eleventh Circuit Judge Barbara Lagoa, who has considerably more judicial experience than Coney Barrett but may raise issues for senators demanding a nominee with a hardline conservative stance on Roe v. Wade.