Kirk noted that he is the “first of 16 Republicans” who have said they would meet with Garland, though most of those senators have nonetheless maintained their opposition to holding hearings and a vote for Garland during the election season, if not until the next president takes office in January 2017.
Kirk, along with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, supports a full confirmation process for Garland. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, said the Judiciary Committee should hold hearings, but has indicated that he probably will not support Garland in the unlikelihood Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, permits a floor vote.
