Garland meets 2nd Republican senator

WASHINGTON — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine on Tuesday became the second Republican to meet with Judge Merrick Garland, saying their conversation had further convinced her that the Senate should hold hearings on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

The next step, in my view, should be public hearings before the Judiciary Committee so that the issues that we explored in my office can be publicly aired and so that senators can have a better opportunity to flesh out all of the issues that we discussed.

With Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who is among the most endangered Republican incumbents this election year, Collins is one of just two Republicans who have openly supported granting Garland full consideration, including confirmation hearings.

Every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee — led by Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the committee’s chairman — signed a letter pledging not to hold hearings.