WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will nominate U.S. Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, Democratic Senator Charles Schumer said.
Schumer, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, confirmed the decision to Reuters as he exited a Democratic leadership meeting in the U.S. Capitol.
“It’s an excellent choice, a bipartisan choice. If the Republicans can’t support him, who could they support,” said Schumer, who represents New York.
Soon after, the White House also confirmed U.S. President Barack Obama will nominate appellate court judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, emphasizing his readiness for the job and history of support from Republicans and Democrats.
“No one is better suited to immediately serve on the Supreme Court,” a White House official said.
“Chief Justice John Roberts, Garland‘s colleague on the D.C. Circuit, once said that ‘anytime Judge Garland disagrees, you know you’re in a difficult area,'” the official added.