President Obama introduced his pick for the Supreme Court seat vacated by deceased Justice Antonin Scalia in a Wednesday morning White House Rose Garden speech – chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Merrick Garland.
Senate Judiciary Committee members, meanwhile, doubled down on previous claims and said no matter what Obama wanted, hearings would not go forth on the nomination until after the presidential elections.
Garland, 63, is a Harvard law school graduate and has served as both a judge and prosecutor for years.
Citing Garland’s “sterling record as a prosecutor,” Obama also touted the judge’s non-partisan popularity, saying he has won both respect and admiration from “both sides of the political aisle.”
He called on senators to set aside politics and give Garland a hearing.
“I have recognized that we have entered the political season,” Obama said. “I know the Republicans will point to Democrats that have made it hard for Republicans to get their nominations confirmed. And they’re not wrong about that.”
He went on: “But to go down that [political] path would be wrong. It would be a betrayal … At a time when our politics are so polarized … this is precisely the time when we should play it straight. …Â Our Supreme Court is really unique. It’s supposed to be above politics and it should stay that way.”
Obama said he was “simply ask[ing]” for a “fair hearing” for Garland and for senators not to abdicate “their duty,” or else justice would suffer.
“I have fulfilled my constitutional duty,” he said. “Now it’s time for the Senate to do theirs. … He deserves to be confirmed.”
But the Senate, which is due to leave Washington, D.C., on Thursday for a two-week break, is not likely to hold hearings.
Sen. Mike Lee, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said his colleagues have been clear: No hearings until after the election.
“Look,” he said, during a Fox News broadcast, “we’ve been clear. This is a lifetime appointment … previously filled by judicial icon Antonin Scalia. … I know a few things about [Garland], I know he’s regarded as a progressive, fairly liberal. … But that’s not the point.”
Lee said voters ought to be given the right to decide.
“I don’t care if they put my brother on there … this is about the principle we’re facing [with election]. The earliest we could get someone confirmed anyway is May.”
His conclusion?
“We’re sticking to our plan,” Lee said, referring to the committee’s previously announced strategy to hold off on hearings until the new president was elected.
Garland lead the prosecutions in the bombing case of Ted Kaczynski, also known as the “Unabomber.”
Garland, in accepting the president’s nomination, gave a few emotion-tinged remarks.
“This is the greatest honor of my life,” except for his wife’s assent to his marriage proposal, decades ago, he said, choking back tears. “I know that my mother is watching this on television and crying her eyes out. So are my sisters … I only wish my father were here to see this today.”
And speaking directly to Obama, Garland said: “I am grateful beyond words for the honor that you have bestowed on me.”
