Orin Hatch op-ed: The Senate is not a Rubber Stamp

Judge Scalia's Empty Chair Draped In Black

The Constitution grants the president the authority to nominate his choice to fill a Supreme Court vacancy — a power President Obama exercised by nominating Judge Merrick Garland. But the Constitution also gives the Senate a co-equal role with the power to provide advice and consent. The best way to exercise our power is to conduct the confirmation process after the presidential election.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

Holding hearings now would poison an already contentious confirmation process with the worst of election-year politics, resulting in harm to the integrity of the court. In years past, Democratic leaders — including Vice President Biden — have themselves warned against considering a Supreme Court nominee so late before an election. By so doing, we can also give the American people a voice in the direction of our nation’s highest court after their split decision in electing a Democratic president and a Republican Senate with very different views of the law and the Constitution.

Read the rest of the op-ed HERE.

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