Washington, DC– Today, the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of D.C Circuit Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the United States Supreme Court:
“The President has done his job. He’s made his nomination, pursuant to Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. It’s time for Senate Republicans to do their job laid out in the same clause, which is to advise and consent. Chief Judge Garland is qualified and has already been confirmed by the Senate for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Senators McConnell and Grassley are refusing to hold hearings strictly for political reasons. This is a continuation of their attempts to delegitimize President Obama, which has been Senator McConnell’s goal since day one. If they continue to do so, Senate Republicans are telling the 65 million Americans who voted for President Obama that their votes didn’t count for a full four-year term. The Supreme Court is set to rule on cases that affect American lives, like people’s access to the ballot box, a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, and a workers’ ability to negotiate. It is also set to hear cases about how consumers can hold powerful corporate interests accountable, the influence of money in politics, and the authority of the President to enforce immigration policies. These issues must be heard by a full Supreme Court. The Senate Republicans must do their job.”
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