President Trump’s meeting with senators Tuesday is the first official consultation as he prepares to name a Supreme Court justice nominee, Sen. Mitch McConnell said.
The meeting seems designed to meet his obligation to gain the advice and consent of the Senate in his appointments, and this kind of outreach has been standard in previous high court appointments.
Mr. Trump will meet with Mr. McConnell, who is the GOP’s floor leader, Democratic leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer, and the top Republican and Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.
“I appreciate the President soliciting our advice on this important matter,” Mr. McConnell said.
Mr. Trump has promised to submit his nominee by early next month.
The position left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia has been empty for nearly a year, after Mr. McConnell led an effort to ensure the winner of last year’s election would have the right to make the pick.
Democrats are still steaming over that move, and have cited it as one of the reasons they are delaying Mr. Trump’s Cabinet picks.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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