Washington, DC – Moments ago in his Senate office, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse met with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Whitehouse is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is charged with considering the nomination and making a recommendation to the full Senate regarding confirmation. Whitehouse released the following statement on today’s meeting:
“I had the privilege to work with Merrick Garland when we were both with the Department of Justice during the Clinton Administration. Our meeting today reminded me of the strong judgment, first-rate intellect, and good nature that won him such broad respect within the Department and the legal community. It was a pleasure catching up, and I was glad to discuss his legal experiences and background. He is an exemplary jurist who possesses the sort of even temperament common to many of our greatest Justices.
“United States Senators have always carried out their duty to consider and vote on the President’s Supreme Court nominations. We have an eminently qualified jurist in Judge Garland, who should receive a hearing and a vote on the Senate floor. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to honor their constitutional duty and act on this nomination.”
Sheldon Whitehouse served as Rhode Island’s United States Attorney and Attorney General of Rhode Island before being elected to the United States Senate. On the Judiciary Committee, Whitehouse serves as ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism.
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