*President Obama on Wednesday announced his choice to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, but the Republican leaders in Congress immediately doubled down on their decision not to hold a confirmation hearing, or even meet with the nominee.
In nominating Merrick Garland, the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to the Supreme Court, Obama called on Republicans to allow a hearing and vote on the nominee.
“It is tempting to make this confirmation process simply an extension of our divided politics, the squabbling that’s going on in the news every day,” he said. “But to go down that path would be wrong. It would be a betrayal of our best traditions and a betrayal of the vision of our founding documents.
“This is precisely the time when we should play it straight.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday shot down the idea of Garland getting a hearing, pointing to Vice President Joe Biden’s own words in 1992.
The then Senate Judiciary Chairman said a hypothetical Supreme Court opening should not be filled during a presidential election year, and that it was acceptable for the court to only have eight justices temporarily.
“President Obama and his allies may now try to pretend this disagreement is about a person, but as I just noted, his own vice president made clear it’s not,” McConnell continued. “The Biden Rule reminds us that the decision the Senate announced weeks ago remains about a principle, not a person.”
Watch below:
.@SenateMajLdr McConnell responds to SCOTUS nomination: “Give the people a voice in filling this vacancy” https://t.co/Yfu961lwAS
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 16, 2016
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) stood by McConnell’s decision.
“This has never been about who the nominee is. It is about a basic principle. Under our Constitution, the president has every right to make this nomination, and the Senate has every right not to confirm a nominee.
“I fully support Leader McConnell and Chairman [Chuck] Grassley’s [R-Iowa] decision not to move forward with the confirmation process. We should let the American people decide the direction of the court.”
Below, Garland chokes up during his speech at the White House:
Merrick Garland chokes up over Supreme Court nomination: “This is the greatest honor of my life” https://t.co/FzpSuJsMpe — MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 16, 2016
The hashtag #DoYourJob #SCOTUS began trending on Twitter from those who believe Judge Garland deserves a hearing:
.@GOP lame duck my ass. He was elected! And it is march. #DoYourJob #Scotus
— Rebboo12 (@Reblawrence12) March 16, 2016
@SpeakerRyan We people already decided the direction of SCOTUS, we re-elected Obama to be president. You want Trump to nominate?#DoYourJob — Andrew Piotrowski (@gringoloco84) March 16, 2016
@SenAlexander and @SenBobCorker I’m a Tennessee voter and I demand that you #DoYourJob! Consider Obama’s nominee for SCOTUS!!
— Tori Griffin (@torigriffin) March 16, 2016
The American People do have their voices on the #SCOTUS. We have elected our Senate to #DoYourJob . Do what you were put in office to do! — Joe Abedi (@pismojoe25) March 16, 2016
In all of US history, Senate has NEVER refused to give a #SCOTUS nominee a hearing. #DoYourJob @SenatorSessions @JohnCornyn @SenTedCruz
— Young Fems & Allies (@NOWYoungFems) March 16, 2016
@USATODAY @SpeakerRyan #DoYourJob scoutus even when is not convenient
— Gloria Ramos (@HolaKitty21) March 16, 2016
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
