Senate Democratic Leaders Urge Colleagues to Sign New Letter Calling on Sens. McConnell and Grassley to Hold Garland Hearings

Statement

Senate Democratic Leaders, led by Senators Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, Charles E. Schumer, Patty Murray, Debbie Stabenow and Bob Casey urged the entire United States Senate to sign a new letter, organized by the Democratic Leadership and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy, urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Grassley to give President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, a fair confirmation process. By opening up the letter for signature to the full United States Senate, Republicans are being given the opportunity to show real leadership in their party and do more than the bare minimum of holding closed-press meetings with Judge Garland. Senate Democratic leaders announced the new letter in the U.S. Capitol Building today and also argued that the American people deserve to hear from Judge Garland themselves in the form of public hearings, especially since there are new reports that Republicans are asking substantive questions in their private meetings.

"The Senate has held public confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nominees for a hundred years. If Republicans refuse to uphold that standard now, they will be setting a new low in transparent government," said Senator Reid. "Out-of-sight meetings where Republican Senators can slip out the back door to avoid reporters are not transparent and they're not nearly enough. Today, we're giving all members of the Senate a chance to do the right thing and tell Mitch McConnell and Chuck Grassley to do their job and give Judge Garland the fair confirmation process any nominee deserves."

"More and more Republican and Democratic senators have had private meetings to ask questions of Judge Garland, but the American people deserve to hear from the President's nominee too. That means a public hearing for all to see," said Senator Durbin. "The Constitution is clear on Supreme Court vacancies. The American people agree, and Senate Democrats are ready to do our job and give the President's nominee full and fair public consideration."

"The American people should have the same opportunity to hear from Judge Garland that Republicans have had behind closed doors," said Senator Schumer. "Not every senator has to agree on a particular nominee, but we should all be able to agree to do our jobs as Senators. I hope that our Republican colleagues will join us in supporting the next step in this process, and give the American people the chance to hear from the Judge himself."

"I had the opportunity to meet with Judge Garland and discuss his background, experiences, and judicial philosophy--but my constituents should be able to hear directly from him as well," said Senator Murray. "Republican leaders need to listen to the people they represent and allow Judge Garland to have a hearing in the Judiciary Committee, answer questions under oath, and make his case. If Republicans don't like what Judge Garland has to say, they are welcome to vote no--but there is no good reason for them to refuse to do their jobs and refuse to give him a hearing."

"Senate Republicans have an opportunity to do the right thing by calling for public hearings and a vote on Chief Judge Garland's nomination," said Senator Stabenow. "No nominee has ever been treated this way. The American people have spoken loudly and clearly. It's time for Republicans to do their job."

"It's time for Senate Republicans to end these outrageous games and do their jobs," Senator Casey said. "Judge Garland deserves a fair hearing and a timely vote- anything less is an abrogation of our basic duties."