The leader of the Republican-controlled Senate, Mitch McConnell, has refused to schedule hearings on the nomination of Garland, saying the victor of the November 8 presidential election should choose the Supreme Court justice.
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McConnell noted that Republicans are defending 24 Senate seats compared to 10 by Democrats.
In a conference call, Reid said some Republican senators – including some of those facing hard re-election battles – would like to distance themselves from Donald Trump, the party’s nominee.
When asked by a reporter about Trump’s comments labeling President Barack Obama as the “founder” of the Islamic State group, McConnell replied: “I’m hoping that we can make this election about Hillary Clinton”.
Reid also criticized Republicans for failing to consider Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court, and called them “minions” and “enablers” of Donald Trump.
McConnell tried to deflect questions about Trump, but 72-year-old Trump supporter Cathie Tucker wasn’t having it, saying he needed to be more forceful in his support of the nominee. The senator added that when Trump “says something I have to speak up on, I will”.
Reid didn’t specify how Democrats could bring Garland’s nomination to the Senate floor, but said they had some “extreme” options that would ultimately need more than 50 votes to succeed.
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Senate Democrats may try to force a vote on procedural motions that, if successful, would lead to a vote on Garland before the new president takes office in January, Reid said.
