Blumenthal Statement on the Nomination of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today after attending President Obama’s Rose Garden speech at which he nominated Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the United States Supreme Court. Garland currently serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

“Chief Judge Merrick Garland is preeminently qualified for consideration – clearly meriting a hearing and vote. In his Rose Garden announcement – an inspiring occasion – President Obama cogently and convincingly stated Judge Garland’s credentials. Now the Senate must do its job. There should be no rubber stamp for any nominee. I have known Judge Garland personally for many years, and I intend to review closely his qualifications, past opinions and judicial record. Merrick Garland has been an extraordinary judge, prosecutor and public servant, and indisputably President Obama has taken seriously his constitutional responsibility.

“Now that the President has done his job, Senate Republicans must do theirs. If they deny Judge Garland meetings, hearings, consideration, and a vote, they will engage in obstructionism unprecedented in American history. We should strive to insulate the Court from partisan politics, not pollute the judiciary with the same partisan gridlock and bickering that infect Congress. The Republican leadership should do the right thing, fully consider Judge Garland’s nomination and spare the Court and the country the significant, unnecessary damage their obstructionism would cause."

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