President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland, currently chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to serve as an associate justice for the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday morning.

The Nomination of Merrick Garland

Speaking from the White House's Rose Garden, Obama said his Supreme Court nomination process decision required him to put aside short-term expediency and narrow politics in order to maintain faith with the founding fathers and future generations. The president said he's reached out to Republican and Democratic members of Congress, every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and bar organizations so he can hear a range of opinions. After an exhaustive process, Obama said his Supreme Court nominee is someone who is widely recognized as not only as one of America's sharpest legal minds but someone who brings to his work a spirit of decency, modesty, integrity and excellence.

"These qualities and his long commitment to public service have earned him the respect and admiration of leaders from both sides of the aisle. He will ultimately bring that same character to bear on the Supreme Court, an institution in which he is uniquely prepared to serve immediately," said Obama, standing between Garland and Vice President Joe Biden.

"This is the greatest honor of my life," said Garland, later adding, "For me, there could be no higher public service than serving as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court."

"I have fulfilled my constitutional duty. Now it's time for the Senate to do theirs," Obama said, calling on Senate Republicans to give Garland a fair nomination hearing and vote.

Garland was first appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals in April 1997, by President Bill Clinton, and was confirmed by the then-Republican-controlled Senate with a 76-23 vote. Garland would later become the court's chief judge in February 2013. But in Garland's March 19, 1997, confirmation vote, opposition votes came from current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and current Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. For Garland's nomination to proceed, he will need approval from Grassley's Judiciary Committee before McConnell schedules a full Senate vote.

The Imminent Hurdles

Senate Republicans were quick to acknowledge their right to not accept Obama's Supreme Court nominee, regardless if it was Garland or another name.

Utilizing Twitter, McConnell reiterated his stance to not grant a hearing during an election year. He also claimed Obama's nomination was a political move rather than actually having the nominee confirmed.

Grassley, in a statement following Obama's remarks, recognized that the president performed his constitutional duty, but the Senate also have its constitutional authority to withhold advice and consent of a nomination during a presidential election year.

"A lifetime appointment that could dramatically impact individual freedoms and change the direction of the court for at least a generation is too important to get bogged down in politics. The American people shouldn't be denied a voice. Do we want a court that interprets the law, or do we want a court that acts as an unelected super legislature? This year is a tremendous opportunity for our country to have a sincere and honest debate about the role of the Supreme Court in our constitutional system of government," said Grassley, preferring to consider a nominee after the next U.S. president is elected.

Garland's nomination comes a month after the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia. According to Obama, Garland will meet with congressional lawmakers during the next few days or weeks.

President Barack Obama's Supreme Court Nomination Speech Transcript

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

Related