Group running ads against Grassley in Supreme Court fight

A Democrat-aligned political action committee is launching ads against Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in his home state, hitting him for refusing a hearing on Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland.

{mosads}“Tonight, growing concern about the vacancy on the Supreme Court,” a fake newscaster says in the clip from End Citizens United obtained by The Hill. “At stake, choice, immigration, even the possibility of ending the corrupting influence of money in elections.”

The spot then pans out, showing an unidentified member of congress watching the newscast before pausing.

“Republicans are stopping the conversation, blocking any nomination, refusing to even meet with a nominee, all for political gain,” a narrator continues. “Call Sen. Grassley. Tell him to do what’s right. It’s time to hold a hearing.”

End Citizens United said on Wednesday it is airing similar ads against Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) in their home states as well.

“Numerous polls have shown that Republican Senators are going against their constituents by refusing to hold a hearing fill the Supreme Court vacancy,” said Reed Adamson, senior adviser to End Citizens United, in a statement obtained by The Hill.

“As long as Republicans are standing in the way, the Supreme Court will be deadlocked on important decisions, including any reforms to our campaign finance system.”

End Citizens United PAC was established last March and aims at countering the Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The landmark ruling determined that the federal government cannot restrict independent political expenditures by non-profit organizations, fundamentally remaking America’s campaign finance laws.

The group’s ads come with both sides digging in for a long fight over President Obama’s nomination of Garland to the Supreme Court.

Obama announced his nomination Wednesday, tapping the chief judge for of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Republican leaders, though, say any court appointment should wait until after the election for the next president and are refusing to hold any hearings.

Democrats and the White House are trying to pressure Senate Republicans to take up Garland’s nomination.