Battle Over Merrick Garland Moves to States

“The fight over the vacancy on the Supreme Court shifted from close combat in the halls of Congress to a nationwide air war on Friday, as senators returned to their home states for a two-week recess and Republican and Democratic leaders began aggressively making their cases in television and radio interviews, op-ed columns and public appearances,” the New York Times reports.

“With little hope of a confirmation hearing before the November elections, the debate over the vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia is entering a critical phase — away from the corridors of power in Washington.”

The Washington Post notes Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) called for his GOP colleagues to vote on President Obama’s nominee: “Just man up and cast a vote.”