Despite opposition from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who vowed not to meet or vote on President Barack Obama’s pick for the high court, his colleague from Illinois, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk is breaking with his fellow republicans. Kirk is the first republican to meet with Merrick Garland. Their session is set for Tuesday afternoon. 

Earlier this month, Kirk urged his fellow senators to quote ‘man up’ and take a vote on Obama’s nominee. If confirmed, Garland would replace Justice Antonin Scalia who died in February.