With the retirement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, the Biden administration will have its first nominee to the country’s highest court.

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley expresses his gratitude to Justice Breyer.

“First of all, I congratulate Justice Breyer on his long distinguished service for our nation and he’s widely respected for good reason.” 

Grassley serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which conducts the interviews for nominees by the President for certain positions, including Supreme Court Justices. Grassley has been through several nominations, including the Supreme Court Justice nominee Merrick Garland during the final year of the Obama administration, which he was not confirmed. During the Trump administration, three justice nominees were confirmed, with the longest time period from nomination to confirmation being three months with Justice Brett Kavanaugh. 

Grassley talks about the upcoming nomination from the Biden administration.

“It’s a 50/50 Senate. I hope Biden nominates a consensus nominee and someone who interprets the law and doesn’t think their job is to make law. My job is to make law, their job is to interpret it. In regard to timing, I guess we just wait until we see who the nominee is.” 

Biden is expected to make his nomination soon. The Supreme Court leads conservative 6-3.