Judiciary Committee gives green light to Garland AG nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Monday to approve Merrick garlandMerrick Brian Garland DOJ Faces Swift Change to Meet Biden’s Voting Rights Pledge Merrick Garland is right to prioritize domestic terrorism, but will need a bigger ship. Republican Party resists Biden’s relief plan MOREnomination for attorney general, preparing to be confirmed by the Senate as soon as this week.

The panel voted 15-7 in favor of President BidenJoe BidenBiden Offers Support For Union Organizing Efforts Senate Democrats Reject ‘Plan B’ On Minimum Wage Increase Kavanaugh Dismays Conservatives By Dodging Pro-Trump Election Demands MOREElected to head the Department of Justice. GOP Sens. Mike leeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeCPAC, All-In For Trump, Not What It Used To Be NIGHT ENERGY: Key Vote For Haaland Confirmation | Oil and Gas Leasing Update | SEC Update on Haaland Weather Hazard Disclosure Requirements on Drilling Lease Moratorium: ‘It’s not going to be permanent’ MORE (Utah), Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward Cruz Five Findings From CPAC 2021 Trump Wins CPAC Poll With 55 Percent Of ‘SNL’ Viewing Fauci As Host Of Game Show, Giving Winners MORE Shots (Texas), Ben sasseBen SasseKinzinger: Republican Party ‘certainly not united’ on ‘vision for the future’ Sasse rebuked by Nebraska Republican Party for Trump impeachment vote in CPAC fuels Republican primary wars in 2022 MORE (Nebraska.), Josh hawleyJoshua (Josh) David Hawley Five CPAC 2021 Takeaways CPAC, all inclusive for Trump, is not what Sunday show previews used to be: 2024 hopefuls gather at CPAC; House Approves Coronavirus Relief; the vaccine effort continues MORE (Month.), Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonSenate reflects on changes to the .9 trillion coronavirus bill that Trump seeks to consolidate in the Republican Party in anticipation of Sunday shows: 2024 hopefuls meet at CPAC; House Approves Coronavirus Relief; the vaccine effort continues MORE (Ark.), John kennedyJohn Neely KennedyMORE (The.) And Marsha blackburnMarsha Blackburn Passing of John Lewis Voting Rights Promotion Act is First Step in Healing Our Democracy Biden Signs Supply Chain Order After ‘Positive’ Meeting with Lawmakers Biden’s Healthcare Candidate Faces to the first test of the Senate MORE (Tennessee) voted against his nomination. Cruz, Sasse, Cotton and Hawley are seen as possible presidential contenders in 2024.

The vote comes nearly five years after Republicans blocked Garland from getting a hearing or vote for his 2016 Supreme Court nomination, and is the first nomination approved by Democrats since the party took over the committee.

Garland is expected to be easily confirmed by the full Senate, despite Republican opposition on the committee. A final confirmation vote has not been scheduled, but it could happen as soon as this week.

Democrats only need 50 votes to confirm Biden’s nominees because Vice President Harris could break a 50-50 tie.

No Democrat has said they will oppose Garland and he is expected to win the support of the Republican Party in the Senate. Minority leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump Proves Absolute Dominance Over Republican Party, Media At CPAC Barnburner Trump Discards Starting New Party: ‘Fake News’ Sunday Shows: Trump’s Resurgence, COVID-19 Vaccines, variants dominate MORE (R-Ky.) He says he supports the nomination and the top Republicans on the panel, including the senator. Chuck grassleyChuck GrassleyGrassley Will Vote Against Tanden Grassley Nomination Says He Will Decide This Fall Whether To Present Yellen Adeyemo MP On Track For Quick Confirmation In 2022 MORE (R-Iowa), voted to advance his nomination on Monday.

The committee’s vote came a week after Garland testified during a multi-hour Judiciary Committee hearing, where he vowed to be politically independent from Biden.

Garland is about to take over a Justice Department battered in recent years by political scandals and viewed by lawmakers from both parties as increasingly politicized.

“I am the attorney for the United States. I will do everything in my power … to avoid any effort by anyone to make prosecutions or investigations partisan or political in any way, ”Garland said at his hearing.

Garland also answered questions about police reform, controversial investigations into the Russia and Hunter Biden investigation, limits on a president’s power, and domestic terrorism in the wake of the Jan.6 attack on Capitol Hill.

Garland, as attorney general, will oversee a weeks-long, wide-ranging investigation into the pro-Trump mob violating the Capitol building in an effort to stop the Electoral College vote counting.

“One of the first things I will do is receive a progress report on this investigation,” Garland told senators.