Sen. Chris Coons (D) met with Supreme Court nominee Judge Merrick Garland Thursday afternoon, calling him ‘decent, kind and warm’.
The two spoke for about 45 minutes on Capitol Hill about Garland’s experience on the D.C. Court of Appeals and how he goes about drafting his opinions.
Coons says he’ll need more time to digest those decisions to decide whether or not he’d vote for confirmation.
“I don’t yet have a firm, final position on whether I would support him, but I will tell you I was very encouraged by what I heard today," he said. "He exceeded my expectations in terms of his thoroughness, his thoughtfulness, how engaging he was and decent he is.”
Coons said he enjoyed the talk, heavily complimenting Garland’s personality and professional career, but has nearly two decades of work to review.
“I am just beginning, really, the demanding process of digging into his judicial record. He has been writing opinions on the DC Circuit Court for roughly 19 years and has a very large body of work,” Coons said.
That support won’t matter much unless senate Republicans relent on their vows to block any nomination from President Obama after conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in February.
Coons, as well Sen. Tom Carper (D) and Rep. John Carney (D) have been urging those across the aisle to relent on their blockade.
