INTRIGUE

Report: White House Vetting GOP-Approved Judge

Jane L. Kelly was unanimously confirmed by Senate in 2013.

The White House is reportedly in the process of vetting Jane L. Kelly as a possible nominee to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s vacant seat. Kelly currently serves as a federal appellate judge, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate just three years ago. Her nomination would make a difficult situation for Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Republican head of the judiciary committee, because he had heavily praised Kelly upon her confirmation. “I congratulate Ms. Kelly on her accomplishments and wish her well in her duties,” Grassley said in 2013 of his fellow Iowan. “I am pleased to support her confirmation and urge my colleagues to join me.” Grassley and other Republican legislative leaders have insisted they will not hold confirmation hearings on a SCOTUS nominee before the election.