In interviews this week, Senate Democrats suggested that they would also like to see a broad bipartisan vote. While they stressed that winning over Republicans shouldn’t be the deciding factor for Biden, they argued that it would send a signal to the public that the high court isn’t as politicized as many perceive it to be.

“For the institution, it’s important because the Supreme Court has become so polarized that a bipartisan vote might well help to begin to restore some of the credibility it has lost,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). “But I don’t think that ought to be a decisive question to the president.”

The White House has been judicious about which Republicans the president consults with personally. Among those he’s talked to are Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah — all senators who have worked directly with the administration in the past. Biden also placed a call to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and met with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a former colleague and the Judiciary panel’s ranking member.