Schumer wants to confirm Biden’s Supreme Court pick by April break

Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerFive viral moments from Biden’s State of the Union Schumer goes viral for start-and-stop ovation at State of the Union Democrats press top pharmaceutical representative on price increases MORE (D-N.Y.) wants to confirm President BidenJoe BidenBiden State of the Union: A plea for unity in unusual times Watch: Key moments from Biden’s first State of the Union address Five takeaways from Biden’s State of the Union address MORE’s Supreme Court pick, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, before members of the upper chamber leave for a two-week break in April. 

“We want to do this fairly but expeditiously. … We would like to get this done and have the judge approved by the Senate before the Easter break,” Schumer told reporters after his meeting with Jackson. 

The Senate is scheduled to leave town on April 8. 

Schumer’s plan matches the 30 to 40 days the White House and top Democrats have eyed for the timeline between a formal announcement of the nominee to a confirmation vote.

Sen. Dick DurbinDick DurbinSenate gears up for confirmation of first Black woman to Supreme Court Congress races clock on Ukraine aid amid invasion Ukraine crisis, Supreme Court scramble Democrats’ agenda MORE (D-Ill.) has also pointed to the April break as a deadline for the nomination. Durbin, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, hasn’t said when he’ll hold a hearing on the nomination, though Schumer hinted the scheduling announcement is imminent.

In addition to Schumer, Jackson is meeting with Durbin, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOn The Money — Lawmakers rally against Russian oil imports Reynolds to focus on inflation, schools in response to Biden GOP leader won’t condemn Greene, Gosar with cameras rolling MORE (R-Ky.) and Sen. Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleySenate gears up for confirmation of first Black woman to Supreme Court Ukraine crisis, Supreme Court scramble Democrats’ agenda McConnell to meet with Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Wednesday MORE (R-Iowa), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday. 

Democrats are able to confirm Jackson, who would be the first Black female Supreme Court justice, on their own if all 50 of their members remain united.

But Schumer said Wednesday he was hopeful she would pick up GOP votes. 

“I think she deserves support from the other side of the aisle. And I am hopeful that a good number of Republicans will vote for her, given who she is,” Schumer said.