Up Close: Supreme Court nomination

NEW YORK (WABC) -- President Obama has set the stage for a showdown with Congress by nominating a Supreme Court justice.

Last week, the president chose 63-year-old appeals court judge Merrick Garland to fill the seat vacated by the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Mr. Obama praised Garland for his experience and ability to build a consensus.

Senate Republican leaders have said they will meet with Garland, but Republican leaders insist there will be no vote before the presidential election.

I asked Senator Charles Schumer of New York about the politics of the president's decision.

Also this week, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka joined us to discuss the problem of elevated lead levels found in the water of city schools.

Bill Ritter talks with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka about the elevated lead levels in the water at city schools.

And we talked with New York City Council member Helen Rosenthal, who represents the 6th Council district in Manhattan.

Bill Ritter talks with New York City Council member Helen Rosenthal.