Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) said Tuesday he will vote to confirm President Joe Biden’s pick for attorney general, Merrick Garland, Politico reported.
In 2016, McConnell blocked Garland as a replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia following his death during the Obama administration,
The decision was the “most consequential thing I’ve ever done,” McConnell later commented.
When asked by Politico whether he supported Garland’s nomination for attorney general, the minority leader replied “I do.” McConnell declined to further elaborate.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Garland’s nomination to lead the Justice Department on Monday and a final vote to confirm Garland could occur the same week. Garland has the support of multiple Republicans, including senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), said Tuesday he was “very inclined” to back Garland’s confirmation given his “very deep understanding of the threats America faces,” according to the New York Post.
Judiciary Democrats are also expressing confidence in Garland’s chances of becoming AG. However, the extent of support Garland will gain among Republicans remains unclear.
During his confirmation hearings this week, the attorney general nominee sidestepped a question from Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) on the participation of transgender females in women’s sports. When asked about the investigation on last month’s siege on the Capitol, Garland said it would be his first order of business and that it was his top priority.