US SC nomination between Srinivasan, Garland: Reports

If chosen, India-born Srinivasan, 48, would become the first-Indian American, as well as first Hindu on the nine-member Supreme Court bench. Reports said the team of advisers helping to vet candidates, line up their public supporters and answer the president’s questions had finished its work, the source said on Tuesday. 

President Barack Obama is likely to announce either as his pick for US Supreme Court nominee and the announcement could come soon.

Obama is searching for a replacement for long-serving conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, who died on February 13. With Scalia’s death, the court is divided 4-4 between conservatives and liberals. Obama’s nominee could move the court to the left for the first time in decades. 

Both Srinivasan and Garland are seen as having unique attributes that could weigh heavily in Obama’s decision. Republicans, who control the US Senate, have vowed not to hold confirmation hearings or an up-or-down vote on any nominee picked by the Democratic president as they are hoping a candidate from their party wins the November 8 presidential election, and want him to make the selection.