Cotton says he will keep an ‘open mind’ on Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, but doubts GOP

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonSunday shows preview: Justice Breyer announces retirement from Supreme Court Senate Republicans press federal authorities for information on Texas synagogue hostage-taker Sunday shows preview: US reaffirms support for Ukraine amid threat of Russian invasion MORE said on Sunday that he would keep an “open mind” when it came to President BidenJoe BidenRussia relocates naval exercises due to Irish concerns UK’s Johnson says he’s ordered armed forces to prepare for deployment next week amid Ukraine tensions Youngkin sparks Democratic backlash in Virginia MORE‘s nominee to replace Supreme Court Justice Stephen BreyerStephen BreyerSunday shows preview: Justice Breyer announces retirement from Supreme Court Confirmation bias: The fighting has already begun, and Biden hasn’t even named a nominee With Supreme Court promise, Biden essentializes race and gender MORE, adding, however, that he doubted the nominee would be someone whom the GOP could support. 

“Fox News Sunday” host Dana Perino asked Cotton how he intended to approach Biden’s upcoming Supreme Court nomination, noting Vice President Harris’s intense line of questioning against Justice Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughOverturning Roe isn’t only about red states or abortion Confirmation bias: The fighting has already begun, and Biden hasn’t even named a nominee Schumer finds unity moment in Supreme Court fight MORE during his confirmation hearing when she was a senator.

“Well first of all, as a member of the committee, I will try to ask questions that contain a bit more logic than Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisWith Supreme Court promise, Biden essentializes race and gender 10 arrested after Guatemala coordinated with US in raids against migrant smugglers Biden’s Supreme Court choice: A political promise, but also a matter of justice MORE‘s line of questioning right there. But I suspect we’ll all keep an open mind,” Cotton, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said.

“We will review the nominee on her merits. I can’t say that I’ve got wild expectations that Joe Biden is going to nominate someone who I think I can support or many Republicans can support because I’ve seen dozens of his nominees to the lower court,” Cotton added.

“I can say one thing that I won’t do, and I doubt any Republican will do, is engage in the kind of grotesque smear campaigns against the character of fine men like Clarence ThomasClarence ThomasOverturning Roe isn’t only about red states or abortion Confirmation bias: The fighting has already begun, and Biden hasn’t even named a nominee Biden’s Supreme Court choice: A political promise, but also a matter of justice MORE, or as we saw what happened with Brett Kavanaugh two years ago.”

Last week, Breyer announced that he would be retiring from the Supreme Court after the current term ends and a replacement has been confirmed. Biden has vowed to nominate the first Black woman to the court.

Shortly after Breyer announced his retirement, Cotton released a statement calling on Biden to nominate “a jurist committed to the Constitution and the rule of law” and spoke out against nominating what he referred to as “another unqualified, left-wing ideologue, as he has done so often with lower-court nominees.”

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellBette Midler hits back at W.Va. governor: ‘I’d say his dog’s a– would make a better Governor than him’ GOP faces divisions over siding with Ukraine against Russia The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Actor John Krasinski films outside White House MORE (R-Ky.), who refused to give former President ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaCan we sue our way to climate action? Sunday shows preview: Justice Breyer announces retirement from Supreme Court Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act will permanently end to harmful global gag rule MORE‘s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick GarlandMerrick GarlandSchumer finds unity moment in Supreme Court fight Harris bets on new Honduran president to revive Central America policy Manchin open to supporting Supreme Court pick more liberal than him MORE, a Senate hearing or vote, said last week that he would give Biden’s nominee “fair look.” However, he also warned Biden to not “outsource” his Supreme Court nominee to the “radical left.”