President Obama on Wednesday nominated Merrick Garland to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and fill the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing in February.
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Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential justices.
In experience, background and even in his personal characteristics, Merrick Garland resembles the men and women he would join on the bench if he is confirmed to the Supreme Court.
A Democratic victory at the presidential level could be accompanied by a return of the Senate to Democratic control, further complicating Republicans’ ability to prevent Democrats from getting their way. Let’s let the American people decide. “I think he’s an excellent judge”, said Judge Laurence Silberman, a Reagan appointee and Garland colleague on the appeals court, who also was so close to Scalia that he spoke at Scalia’s memorial service. I think the world of him as a human being.
Senate Republicans have insisted for weeks that they won’t hold hearings or a confirmation vote on Obama’s pick.
“The next justice could fundamentally alter the direction of the Supreme Court and have a profound impact on our country”, McConnell said Wednesday.
The White House says President Barack Obama is nominating federal appellate judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court because nobody is better suited to serve immediately.
The Milwaukee Democrat urged in a tweet on March 16, 2016 that the U.S. Senate give Garland a “fair hearing” and a timely vote on his nomination.
Garland led the investigation following the Oklahoma City bombing and he has gone on record stating it was the most important thing he had ever done in his life. Even the current Chief Justice, John Roberts, has praised him by saying that “anytime Judge Garland disagrees, you know you’re in a hard area”. In 2007, Garland wanted the full court to reconsider a panel decision that struck down Washington, D.C.’s ban on handgun ownership. “Our democracy will ultimately suffer as well”, Obama added, as he introduced Garland at a White House Rose Garden ceremony. But now, three justices are Jewish and five are Catholic.
More than a dozen USA military personnel are disciplined for the mistaken attack, but won’t face harsher penalties.
Garland’s wealth was estimated in 2012 at between $7.1 million and $18.6 million, according to the most recently available financial disclosure form that judges file annually.
Also, groups including the Tea Party Patriots and the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List were planning to send members to town hall meetings in states like Iowa and New Hampshire to show their backing for blocking consideration of Garland and were organizing phone calls to lawmakers’ offices to register support.
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After graduating magna-cum-laude from Harvard Law School, Garland clerked with two judges, including William Brennan of the SCOTUS.
