Reid Calls On Senate To Give Garland A ‘Fair And Open Confirmation Process’

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on Wednesday reminded his Republican colleagues that “the American people expect their elected leaders to do their jobs” and again urged them to give Judge Merrick Garland, who President Obama just announced as his Supreme Court nominee, a fair shake at confirmation.

“Republicans now face a choice between blindly taking their marching orders from Donald Trump, or doing their jobs and providing fair consideration to this highly-qualified nominee,” Reid said in a statement. “I am optimistic that cooler heads will prevail, and sensible Republicans will provide Judge Garland with the fair treatment that a man of his stature and qualifications deserves. The American people expect their elected leaders to do their jobs.”

Reid’s statement came after Obama announced from the White House’s Rose Garden that he was nominating Garland to succeed the late Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Obama called for a “fair” process that would allow Garland an interview and a vote in the Senate.

Reid echoed those sentiments in his statement after saying earlier in the day from the Senate floor that he hoped Obama’s nomination would encourage the GOP to “change course.”

Here’s his full statement:

Judge Merrick Garland is a brilliant man who will make a fine Supreme Court justice. He is a highly qualified jurist with decades of experience, whose career exemplifies a straight-forward approach to the law. The Senate should do its Constitutional duty and provide this good man with a fair and open confirmation process. The American people expect nothing less.

Earlier today, Donald Trump called on Republicans to block this highly-qualified nominee. Republicans now face a choice between blindly taking their marching orders from Donald Trump, or doing their jobs and providing fair consideration to this highly-qualified nominee.

I am optimistic that cooler heads will prevail, and sensible Republicans will provide Judge Garland with the fair treatment that a man of his stature and qualifications deserves. The American people expect their elected leaders to do their jobs. President Obama is performing his Constitutional duty. I hope Senate Republicans will do theirs.