U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued a statement on the President’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland.
“I look forward to evaluating Merrick Garland’s qualifications to be a justice on the Supreme Court. Senators have a constitutional obligation to advise and consent on a nominee to fill this Supreme Court vacancy and, simply put, we have a responsibility to do our jobs as elected officials. I believe the Senate must give Merrick Garland fair consideration and evaluate his record, legal qualifications and judicial philosophy. Much like how the Senate did its job on the President’s nominee for the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, the Senate should hold committee hearings; Senators should meet with him, we should debate his qualifications on the Senate floor and cast whatever vote our conscience can allow.
“I look forward to meeting with Merrick Garland, examining his record, and determining whether his judicial philosophy is in the mainstream. This can only happen if the vetting process is allowed to proceed. Which I am hopeful it will.”
