McConnell To Meet With Biden's Supreme Court Nominee Wednesday

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellWhat’s fueling the ‘new Cold War’ — in Russia and at home Scott defends proposed GOP agenda in CPAC speech Democrats hit Scott over agenda in new ads MORE (R-Ky.) will meet Wednesday with federal appeals court judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President BidenJoe BidenBiden approval near record low amid economic frustration: poll Barr says Trump ‘lost his grip’ in forthcoming memoir Capitol Police to reinstall fence for State of the Union address MORE’s Supreme Court nominee, as the White House ramps up meetings with key senators.

In addition to McConnell, Jackson will meet with Sens. Dick DurbinDick DurbinSchumer to meet with Biden’s Supreme Court pick Wednesday Sunday shows preview: Russia invades Ukraine; Biden nominates Jackson to Supreme Court Biden says Jackson will bring ‘uncompromising integrity’ to Supreme Court MORE (D-Ill.) and Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleyBiden says Jackson will bring ‘uncompromising integrity’ to Supreme Court Senators press Garland to quickly confront misconduct at federal prisons Durbin says court nomination process ‘the reason I ran the first time for office’ MORE (Iowa), the chairman and top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, respectively, the White House announced on Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerPsaki on Cruz ‘Peanuts’ character comparison: ‘Don’t tell him I like Peppermint Patty’ Numbers don’t lie: America’s most resilient jobs are venture-backed You’re the Boss: Unionized staff would force Democrats to take on management’s role MORE’s (D-N.Y.) office previously announced that he will also meet with Jackson on Wednesday.

“Last week the President announced an extraordinarily qualified nominee in the mold of Justice Breyer, with a record of deep experience across our justice system and a demonstrated commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement.

“Judge Jackson went to work immediately, doing prep on Saturday and Sunday, and she’s looking forward to her first meetings with Senators of both parties,” he added. 

Biden announced on Friday that he was nominating Jackson to the Supreme Court, where if confirmed she would be the first Black female justice.

Democrats are hoping to confirm Jackson by April 8, when they are scheduled to leave for a two-week break.

Senate Democrats could confirm Jackson on their own if all 50 members of their caucus are united and Vice President Harris breaks a tie.

But Democrats are cautiously hopeful that she’ll be able to peel off at least one GOP vote. Bates, in his statement, also pointed to the praise that Jackson has received from former Speaker Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanPaul Ryan praises Biden’s SCOTUS pick: ‘Incredibly happy for Ketanji’ White House brushing off Graham handicapping of high court choice GOP bill highlights Republican rift on immigration MORE (R-Wis.), the Fraternal Order of Police and retired D.C. Circuit Judge Thomas Griffith, who was appointed by President George W. Bush. 

Three Republicans voted last year to confirm Jackson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit: Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsSchumer to meet with Biden’s Supreme Court pick Wednesday Land and river conservation can be a rallying point for our divided nation Richmond says Jackson will fill ‘void’ on Supreme Court MORE (Maine), Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiSchumer to meet with Biden’s Supreme Court pick Wednesday Include seafood in the sanctions to squeeze Putin Trump-endorsed Senate candidates are not fit to serve MORE (Alaska) and Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamSchumer to meet with Biden’s Supreme Court pick Wednesday Richmond says Jackson will fill ‘void’ on Supreme Court The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden announces Supreme Court pick amid unfolding Ukrainian crisis MORE (S.C.).  

Durbin, during an interview with CNN on Sunday, said he had reached out to Republicans.

“I want it to be. I’ve reached out to many Republicans … asking them to keep an open mind and to meet with her,” Durbin said when asked if he thought a vote on her nomination could be bipartisan.