U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte said she looks forward to meeting with President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Wednesday, but she continues to believe the next president should nominate the justice who will replace Antonin Scalia.
Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court after Scalia’s sudden death. But Republicans in control of the U.S. Senate say they don’t plan to hold hearings or a confirmation vote until after a new president is elected in November.
“I am certainly going to meet with him out of courtesy and respect,” Ayotte, a first-term Republican, told reporters Monday. “I continue to believe that the American people should have a say in this important nomination, confirmation process by who they elect in November.”
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who has called for Republican colleagues to hold hearings and a vote, met with Garland last week. “I will continue to review Judge Garland’s record and I hope my Republican colleagues will do the same and commit to moving this process forward,” she said in a statement.
Ayotte is facing a competitive re-election bid this year. Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan is running for the seat and has criticized Ayotte for an unwillingness to vote on Garland.