WASHINGTON ― Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, appears to have softened his stance on holding confirmation hearings for Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court. Grassley said in May the Senate should not consider a nominee until the day the next president is sworn in. Grassley said, however, he didn’t personally support holding a lame duck confirmation hearing. While Grassley may be open to holding a lame-duck hearing Don Stewart, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), said it was not being considered. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), have said Garland should get a lame duck hearing if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency,In July, Garland officially set the record for the longest wait for a Supreme Court nominee.

Source: Huffington Post August 30, 2016 17:15 UTC