WASHINGTON The latest push to put Judge Merrick Garland on the Supreme Court involved pulping some trees: The White House on Tuesday delivered a 141-page questionnaire from President Obamas Supreme Court nominee to the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We have never in my lifetime had a time when there’s been a nominee for Supreme Court justice (that) they haven’t been offered a hearing”, said Senator Patrick Leahy, the 76-year-old top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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Senate Republican leaders say they will not consider a SCOTUS nominee until a new president is elected this November. I and my staff have begun reviewing Chief Judge Garlands materials, and I expect committee Republicans to do the same..
Garland, who now serves as the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, details that he hasn’t played a political role in a campaign since he volunteered for presidential candidates Bill Clinton in October 1992, Michael Dukakis in October 1988 and Walter Mondale in 1983 and 1984.
Garland as usual said nothing to reporters.
Garland is Obama’s pick to fill the vacancy left by the recent death of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia – but that choice is subject to a confirmation vote by the Senate. Grassley didn’t send Garland the questionnaire, but the White House had him fill one out anyway.
The financial net worth statement, an itemized list of all the nominee’s assets, is the most sensitive information Garland has to provide during the nomination process, Roll Call reports. “I have a simple question for senators who are squeamish or opposed to Mr. Trump”, Schumer said at the press conference. John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking Republican senator.
Democrats and outside groups targeted Grassley because of his chairmanship of the Judiciary panel.
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Grassley said the strategy isn’t working and he’s doesn’t feel any more threatened in this race than previous ones. “He deserves to be further vetted so that we can make a decision on whether he’s the right man for the Supreme Court”. GOP opposition has been led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., with Grassley refusing to allow his committee to hold even the usual hearings for the nominee.
