SUPREME COURT JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG DEAD AT 87.

McConnell held up then-President Obama's SCOTUS nomination of Merrick Garland in 2016, citing the "Biden rule" -- made by the then-senator in 1992 about not confirming justices during an election year, particularly when the Senate is controlled by the opposing party.

In a statement Friday evening, the Senate majority leader announced his intent to proceed with the confirmation process, despite the November election being just weeks away.