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

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement on President Obama's decision to nominate Merrick Garland to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy left by the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia:

"Merrick Garland has an impressive record as a jurist. He was confirmed to the D.C. Circuit Court - one of the most important courts in the nation - with strong bipartisan support, and he has demonstrated a commitment to public service. I look forward to meeting with him and examining his record in more detail as part of my duty as a United States senator. After all senators have had the appropriate time to consider him, I hope that we each will be able to cast a vote - up or down - about whether to confirm him to the U.S. Supreme Court. Few of the Senate's constitutional duties are more important than offering our advice and consent on Supreme Court nominations. That's why I have been deeply disappointed by the Senate Majority's refusal so far even to hold hearings on any nominee by President Obama. The Senate has always voted on every pending nominee for a Supreme Court vacancy, even when the nomination is made in the last months of a president's term. To say that the president's nominee doesn't even deserve a hearing is an example of Senate dysfunction and partisan politics at their very worst. The president has done his job, and it's time for the Senate to do ours."