Branstad supports Grassley’s stance on ‘no hearings’ for Supreme Court vacancy

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said he supports Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley in his refusal to hold a confirmation hearing for President Barack Obama's nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Obama recently nominated Merrick Garland, a Washington, D.C., appeals court judge, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Garland is a second cousin to Branstad.

Supreme Court confirmation hearings typically are held by the Senate's Judiciary Committee, of which Grassley is chairman. Grassley and Senate Republican leaders have said they will not hold hearings on Obama's nominee during an election year, saying the vacancy should be filled by the next president, who will be elected in November and take office in January.

Branstad, a fellow Republican, said he supports Grassley and respects his decision not to hold hearings on the nominee. Branstad said he met Garland for the first time earlier this year and called him a 'very wonderful guy.”