Republicans signal fight over 'dark money' as Supreme Court confirmation battle gears up

WASHINGTON – Conservatives are signaling they intend to draw attention to third-party "dark money" groups as part of the looming fight to replace Associate Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court – no matter who President Joe Biden nominates.

Days after Breyer announced he would step down following a nearly 30-year stint on the nation's highest court, one conservative group began airing a TV ad decrying "secret money from liberals" it claims is influencing the process. Days later, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sounded a similar alarm.

"What we won’t do is rubber stamp someone committed to implementing a radical progressive agenda by legislating from the bench," the Iowa Republican said during a hearing this month. "I've talked about liberal dark money many times. Seems like these groups have already made it clear that's what they expect."