Blumenthal Statement on Supreme Court's 4-4 Decision in Hawkins v. Community Bank of Raymore

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court issued a 4-4 opinion in the case of Hawkins v. Community Bank of Raymore. Because the court was deadlocked, it was unable to conclusively resolve the case’s outstanding legal question.

“This judicial paralysis will be repeated for a year or more if the Republican leadership refuses to consider the President’s nomination of Chief Judge Merrick Garland. Judicial gridlock arising from chronic tie votes‎ is now a real and present danger. Senate Republicans should do their job, fulfill their constitutional obligation, and hold hearings and a vote on Judge Garland’s nomination."

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