Ex-GOP Senator: Senate Should ‘Do Its Duty’ And Give Garland Committee Vote

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ranking member Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., asks a question of a witness during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, to examine the... Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ranking member Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., asks a question of a witness during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, to examine the physical security of Federal Buildings following the Navy Yard tragedy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) MORE LESS

Former Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) said Wednesday that President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee should receive an up-or-down vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“I think the Senate ought to do its duty,” Coburn told NewsOK, while on Capitol Hill to appear in front of a congressional committee. “And the committee ought to vote him up or down.”

Republicans, including the two current senators from Oklahoma, have mostly lined up behind Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) vow to not grant Garland, or any Obama nominee, a hearing or a vote.

Garland has been highly praised for his work as a Department of Justice official on prosecuting the Oklahoma City bombing. Both Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and James Lankford (R-OK) were slated to meet Garland Wednesday, even though they support the blockade of his confirmation.

According to NewsOK, Coburn, who once served on the Senate Judiciary committee, said he still not support Garland’s confirmation because he disagrees with the judge’s legal views.

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  1. Coburn says nothing about a fair and reasonable hearing?

    Oh, that’s right…

  2. "I think the Senate ought to do its duty,‘’ Coburn told NewsOK, while on Capitol Hill to appear in front of a congressional committee. “And the committee ought to vote him up or down.”

    currently on Mitch McConnell’s I-tunes list.

    just strike John and replace it with Tom…

  3. Avatar for jinnj jinnj says:

    There should be thoughtful consideration with objectivity - otherwise it becomes a disingenuous charade - -
    “finding the Judge’s credentials impeccable & without ethical shortcomings, we still exercise our option to reject”

  4. well-put

  5. McConnell: Senate has changed since Coburn left few years ago. We only cater to pure white presidents now. Tea Party will have us killed otherwise.

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