President Obama Thanks GOP Sen. Mark Kirk For Meeting With SCOTUS Nominee

Thanks @POTUS. I met w/ Judge Garland because my responsibility to people of #IL is more important than partisanship pic.twitter.com/4EloRLfDlo

— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) April 7, 2016

GOP Sen. Mark Kirk Open To Obama Nominee For SCOTUS

Sen. Mark Kirk

Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk has taken a step away from his party indicating that he is open to considering a Supreme Court nominee put forward by President Obama.

"I recognize the right of the president, be it Republican or Democrat, to place before the Senate a nominee for the Supreme Court and I fully expect and look forward to President Barack Obama advancing a nominee for the Senate to consider," Kirk writes in a Chicago Sun-Times oped posted Monday afternoon.

"I also recognize my duty as a senator to either vote in support or opposition to that nominee following a fair and thorough hearing along with a complete and transparent release of all requested information," he added. "The Senate’s role in providing advice and consent is as important and significant as the president’s role in proposing a nominee."

Kirk's comments represent a stark departure from those made by Republican Party leadership. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has warned Obama not to even nominate a replacement for the late Antonin Scalia, because the GOP-controlled Senate will not act on it. McConnell, and the vast majority of his party, argue that the next president should get to choose the nominee -- in hopes, of course, that the next president will be a Republican.

In addition to Kirk, Republican Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have stated they may be open to considering an Obama nominee.

GOP Sen. Mark Kirk for marriage equality

Illinois: GOP Sen. Mark Kirk supports marriage equality

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has announced his support for marriage equality.

From Buzzfeed:

"When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others," Kirk wrote on his blog.

"Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back-- government has no place in the middle."

Kirk is the second sitting Republican Senator to endorse marriage equality, following Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman last month.