Grassley: Efforts to sway him on Supreme Court won't work

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley is digging in on Republicans' decision to block all action on an eventual Supreme Court nominee this year, saying Democrats are only criticizing the strategy to score political points.

Grassley, R-Iowa, said at a committee meeting Thursday that Democrats' efforts to pressure him to change his mind will be futile.

There's also been speculation that President Barack Obama will nominate 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jane L. Kelly, a former Iowa public defender confirmed in 2013 with Grassley's support.

"Here's a chairman who has worked to give voices to the voiceless who also has a passion for letting Iowans and the American people be heard," McConnell said on the Senate floor.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a former GOP presidential contender, said the fight is a product of Democratic efforts to block Republican nominees.