Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said Wednesday that President Obama was putting forth an “exceptionally qualified nominee” who Reid hoped would get Republicans to “change course.”
Reid made his remarks from the Senate floor ahead of President Barack Obama’s reported announcement of Merrick Garland as his nominee to succeed the late Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.
“The Republican leaders make clear that he and his caucus have no intention of considering the nominee. It’s hard to comprehend, but that’s what he said,” Reid said. “I hope that President Obama’s nomination of an exceptionally qualified and consensus nominee will persuade Republicans to change course.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has repeatedly said the Senate won’t vote on President Obama’s nomination to replace Justice Scalia and will instead wait until the election is over to review a candidate.
“I do hope they will do their constitutional duty and give President Obama’s nominee a meeting, a hearing, and a vote,” Reid said. “He’s doing his job this morning. The Republicans should do theirs from this point forward.”
