Schatz Statement on the Nomination of Merrick B. Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today made the following statement regarding President Obama’s nomination of Merrick B. Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court:

“Chief Judge Merrick B. Garland has the legal expertise, independent mind, and extensive experience as a former top official in the Justice Department and as the current Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that would make him an excellent addition to the Supreme Court.  Chief Judge Garland is widely respected by legal experts from across the political spectrum and has a real shot at earning bipartisan support in the Senate. It’s time to end the political gamesmanship and do the job that the American people elected us to do.  The president has nominated a well-qualified candidate for the Supreme Court; we now must get back to the business of governing, fulfill our constitutional obligation, and restore the Supreme Court to its full strength.  I look forward to an in-depth review of the nominee’s qualifications and a fair hearing and vote in the Senate.”