MADISON - On Wednesday, March 16, President Barack Obama announced his nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the United States Supreme Court. Judge Garland has served as the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 1997.

Following this announcement, Rep. Dana Wachs (D-Eau Claire), the ranking Democrat on the Assembly Committee on Judiciary, expressed his support for Judge Garland and urged United States Senate Republicans, including Sen. Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, to do their job and give Judge Garland a hearing and a vote on confirmation.

“First of all, I’m very pleased with President Obama’s selection of Judge Garland for the Supreme Court,” said Wachs. “His extensive background, integrity, and outstanding legal acumen make him an ideal candidate for our nation’s highest court. I see no reason why Senate Republicans should not support him as many of them did when he was nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals.”

In 1997, the moderate Garland was confirmed to his current position with bipartisan support, including support from seven current members of the Senate. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has publicly expressed support of Garland in the past for the Supreme Court.

However, since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February, many Senate Republicans have said that they will block any nomination made by President Obama and will wait for the next President to make the appointment.

“Article II of the United States Constitution mandates that the President ‘shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint.......Judges of the Supreme Court,’” added Wachs. “There is no flexibility in this. Those who have sworn to uphold the Constitution are mandated to hold hearings and take action on the President's selection. As ranking Democrat on the Assembly Committee on Judiciary, I am asking that Senator Ron Johnson and his Republican Senate colleagues do their job! Hold a fair hearing and vote!”