Durbin Calls on Senate Colleagues to Support Judge Garland's Nomination to be Attorney General
Due to objections by Senate Republicans to expedite Judge Garland’s nomination on the floor, it could be days or even into next week before Judge Garland can be confirmed
WASHINGTON – U.S. Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his Senate colleagues to support Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination to be the next U.S. Attorney General. On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Judge Garland by a bipartisan vote of 15-7. In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin explained that there was an objection by Senate Republicans to expedite Judge Garland’s nomination on the floor, meaning it could be days or even into next week before Judge Garland can be confirmed.
“History was made on Monday. Judge Merrick Garland finally got a vote before the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was a long time coming. His nomination was approved by a bipartisan vote of 15-7. I’m not surprised. He is superbly qualified to be the next Attorney General of the United States,” Durbin said. “Experience, judgement, integrity—he checks all of the boxes. He served with distinction on the D.C. Circuit Court for 23 years and in that time developed a reputation for fidelity to the rule of law, strict adherence to judicial independence, and a commitment to treat people with fairness, dignity, and respect.”
Durbin continued, “You’d think with a 15-7 vote… that this would be a nomination so important to this nation of Attorney General that it would be given expedited treatment on the floor of the Senate. No. Unfortunately, there was an objection to expediting his nomination so he would get to work at the Department of Justice. As a consequence… it could be days, maybe even into next week before he can take the job.”
Durbin concluded, “We should confirm Merrick Garland immediately. I sincerely hope that whoever is holding his nomination on the other side can be persuaded to give him his chance.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
Last month, Durbin called out Senate Republicans for delaying Judge Garland’s Judiciary Committee hearing.
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