Zero Chance again...

After meeting, Grassley firm that Garland won't move this year

By Seung Min Kim

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley’s breakfast summit with Merrick Garland came and went Tuesday — with no change at all to the Iowa Republican’s stance that hearings should not be held for the Supreme Court nominee this year.

Grassley, whose powerful committee oversees all judicial nominations, dined on oatmeal as he stressed to Garland that the GOP-controlled Senate wouldn’t change its position on Garland this year. Following the meeting, the senator snuck out of the Senate Dining Room, avoiding the pack of reporters who had gathered outside.

“The meeting was cordial and pleasant,” according to a readout from Grassley’s office. “As he indicated last week, Grassley explained why the Senate won’t be moving forward during this hyper-partisan election year. Grassley thanked Judge Garland for his service.”

The breakfast lasted for a little over an hour, according to Grassley’s office.

Garland followed his Grassley dining room meeting by sitting down with another Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. She had initially indicated she was open to confirmation hearings for Garland this year, but recently reversed that position.

The Supreme Court nominee is also scheduled to meet with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) later Tuesday.