On Senate Floor, Shaheen Again Urges Republican Leaders to Schedule a Hearing and a Vote for Supreme Court Nominee Judge Merrick Garland
**Shaheen: “The American people expect Senators to be faithful to our oath. They also expect us to do our jobs – regardless of whether it is an election year.” **
(Washington, DC) —U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) delivered remarks on the Senate floor today urging Republican leaders to consider President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Merrick Garland, and set a hearing and a vote on his nomination. Shaheen called out Senate Republicans for breaking with bipartisan tradition and refusing to fulfill their Constitutional responsibilities to hold hearings and a vote on Judge Garland’s nomination. President Obama nominated Judge Garland in March, however, Senate Republicans have not held a hearing on his nomination. Since 1975, the average length of time from nomination to a confirmation vote for the Supreme Court has been 67 days.
“Every Senator swore to ‘support and defend’ the Constitution – full stop,” said Shaheen. “Our oath does not say: uphold the Constitution ‘most of the time’ or ‘only when it’s not a Presidential election year.’ The American people expect Senators to be faithful to our oath. They also expect us to do our jobs – regardless of whether it is an election year.”
Shaheen continued, “Let’s do the job we were sent her to do by the American people. Let’s follow the Constitution.”
Senator Shaheen met with Judge Garland in April to discuss his nomination.
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