The News

U.S. Senate Democrat says Garland is Obama’s Supreme Court Choice

Chief Judge Merrick B. Garland of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is seen in an undated handout picture. President Barack Obama will announce his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, he said in a statement released by the White House. Obama is likely to announce one of two federal appeals court judges, Sri Srinivasan or Merrick Garland, as his choice, a source familiar with the selection process told Reuters. REUTERS/US Court of Appeals/Handout via Reuters FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

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.