Reid predicts Senate will confirm Garland after Clinton win

LAS VEGAS — Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid predicts the Senate will confirm Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court after Hillary Clinton wins the presidential election in November.

The Nevada Democrat says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s refusal to consider a high court nominee until a new president offers a nomination for the vacancy is “dumb advice” for Republican senators.

Reid said at a news conference that it would be foolish for Republicans to wait until after the election. But he predicted Democrats would win the White House and Republicans would choose to confirm the moderate Garland over a Clinton nominee, who might be more liberal.

Democrats have urged their Republican counterparts to do their job and replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia this year.