Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement congratulating Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, on his nomination for the Supreme Court. Whitehouse is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is charged with considering the nomination and making recommendations to the full Senate regarding confirmation, and worked with Mr. Garland in the Department of Justice in the Clinton Administration.
“Congratulations to Chief Judge Garland on his nomination to serve on the highest court in the land. He is an experienced jurist, who has shown a strong commitment to public service. I look forward to considering his qualifications further in the weeks to come.
“As an accomplished and respected attorney and judge, Merrick Garland deserves a timely hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee and a vote on the Senate floor. The Constitution could not be clearer: the President nominates and the Senate responds with its advice and consent. Indeed, since 1875, the Senate has never denied a Supreme Court nominee a hearing or a vote. To do so now would be to abandon the Senate’s responsibility and ignore the will of the American people, who rightly expect us to do our job. I hope my Republican colleagues show Mr. Garland the respect he deserves and act on his nomination.”
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