Meanwhile, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk became the first Republican to meet with Obama’s nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Kirk called on his fellow Republicans to stop refusing to meet with the nominee, Merrick Garland.

Sen. Mark Kirk: “I understand there are 15, 16 Republicans thinking about meeting with Judge Garland. And by leading by example, I’m showing what a rational, responsible guy would do, that really wants the constitutional process to go forward.”