You'll Be Shocked To See Who Is Telling GOP Senators To #DoYourJob
Joining the vast majority of Americans, leading conservatives and Republicans are calling for a fair hearing for Judge Merrick Garland. Join us to call on the Senate to do its job!
Gov. Charlie Baker (R-MA)
"The president did his job, the Senate should do theirs...There should be [a hearing]. I said from the minute that Justice Scalia passed away that the president has a constitutional obligation. I really think the president did exactly what he is supposed to do." (WGBH)
Michael Steele, former RNC Chair
"They should welcome the president’s nominee to Capitol Hill, have him visit with everybody and sit down and get to know him and they should cast a vote and vote him down if that’s their choice." (MSNBC)
Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)
"Frankly, they probably ought to all sit down and meet with the guy." (CBS News)
Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV)
Amodei said says if Senators are afraid to vote on a Supreme Court nominee, "they should probably find a new job." (Associated Press)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
"I hope that as time goes on, and as people sit down with Judge Garland and talk to him one-on-one, that perhaps there will be a shift in the position of the chairman of the Judiciary Committee." (Portland Press Herald)
Alberto Gonzales, former Attorney General under President George W. Bush
"However, instead of simply refusing to act, I urge Senate Republicans, when prepared, to provide a hearing and floor vote. The president has nominated someone who is capable of doing the job by virtue of intellect, education and experience." (USA Today)
Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS)
“I probably would’ve handled it differently. My attitude, particularly on the Supreme Court, was that elections do have consequences, sometimes bad, and I tried to lean towards being supportive of the President’s nominees, Democrat or Republican. If they were qualified by education, experience, and demeanor and had no other side problem, my predisposition was to be for them.” (CNN)
Joy Corning, former Lt. Governor of Iowa
"They have elected members of Congress. They have elected a President and those are the people that we expect to follow the rules, follow the Constitution, do their job." (Radio Iowa)
Richard Painter, chief ethics lawyer to President George W. Bush
"It is time for the Senate to consider the Garland nomination. Judge Garland should get exactly what Justice Alito got in 2006: a hearing, perhaps with some bluster along the way, but a vote in the end, and confirmation." (The New York Times)
David Brooks, conservative political commentator and columnist for The New York Times
"We’re now at a point where the Senate says it won’t even hold hearings on a presidential Supreme Court nominee, in clear defiance of custom and the Constitution." (The New York Times)
Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY)
"The Constitution is clear. As a result of the vacancy on the court, the president has a responsibility and a right to nominate an individual to the court. Equally, the Senate has a responsibility to consider the nominee." (Syracuse Post-Standard)
Former Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
“I believe that the process should go forward and be given a good-faith effort—and ultimately people will come to their own decision on a vote on a nominee.” (The New York Times)
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
“I fully expect and look forward to President Barack Obama advancing a nominee for the Senate to consider. I also recognize my duty as a senator to either vote in support or opposition to that nominee following a fair and thorough hearing along with a complete and transparent release of all requested information. The Senate’s role in providing advice and consent is as important and significant as the president’s role in proposing a nominee." (Chicago Sun-Times)
Jon Huntsman, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Governor of Utah
in an op-ed with former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman: "The president has now nominated Chief Judge Merrick Garland, a judge who has enjoyed bipartisan support and praise in the past. We hope that the Senate can find a way to overcome its partisan divisions in order to fulfill its own constitutional responsibilities of “advise and consent” and bring this nominee to an up or down vote for the sake of the republic and the law of the land." (TIME)
Former Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK)
"I think the Senate ought to do its duty. And the committee ought to vote him up or down." (Tulsa World)
Eric Bolling, Fox News commentator and host
"I think that the Republicans are making a mistake saying that they won't hear any Supreme Court nominee, just shut it down right now. I think that's not the way you go forward." (Fox News)
Congressman Peter King (R-NY)
“I disagree with some of the Republicans in that the process itself, the Constitution should be respected. I think senators should meet with him. And I think they should also consider having hearings. Not bring it to the floor for a vote, but have the hearings so the American people can see what Judge Garland’s views are.” (Think Progress)
Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Andy Douglas
“I am disappointed in, and discouraged by, those who have predetermined that any nominee will not be given a fair hearing or any hearing at all. American citizens deserve better than this.” (The Toledo Blade)
George Will, Pulitzer Prize–winning conservative political commentator and columnist
"The Republican Party’s incoherent response to the Supreme Court vacancy is a partisan reflex in search of a justifying principle. The multiplicity of Republican rationalizations for their refusal to even consider Merrick B. Garland radiates insincerity." (The Washington Post)
Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT)
"To the Senate I say: Fully embrace your job. Fully embrace the Constitution and proactively define the criteria for who should fill Justice Scalia’s shoes. They are big shoes to fill, but America did not give us the congressional majority to do small things." (The Missoulian)
Former Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
“I can understand their reluctance given the controversy that surrounds all of the debate that has already occurred, but that is not sufficient reason to forgo your duty.” (The New York Times)
Congressman David Jolly (R-FL)
“I do think he should have a hearing and I would like to see a vote.” (Huffington Post)
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
“I would rather have you (constituents) complaining to me that I voted wrong on nominating somebody than saying I’m not doing my job...I think the process ought to go forward.” (Garden City Telegram)
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
"I don't agree (with Republicans). We need somebody in there to do the job and just get on with it." (CNN)
