Confirmation Hearing For U.S. Supreme Court Nominee set for March

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WASHINGTON, DC (ABC NEWS)–In daily visits to Senate offices, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has tried to make clear to Democrats that he’s an independent thinker.

Gorsuch told senators that he found President Donald Trump’s attacks on the judiciary “disheartening” and “demoralizing” after Trump had lashed out at a federal judge who issued a stay on his refugee and immigration ban. On Tuesday, Gorsuch told Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin that he hopes to be “half the nominee” as Merrick Garland, the judge nominated by President Barack Obama last year, only to be blocked by Senate Republicans.

Republicans would like to see Gorsuch take the ninth spot on the court by the time they leave for a two-week recess April 10 and in time for the court’s arguments that start a week later.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Thursday that the committee will hold at least three days of hearings starting March 20. That would give the Senate two weeks for committee approval and confirmation votes on the floor.