Sen. Ayotte, it is now over four months since President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to fill the open seat on the Supreme Court. I continue to be amazed and astounded that you refuse to do your job as a senator, by evaluating the credentials of this nominee.
Judge Garland was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 1997, with strong bipartisan support. His rulings have been consistently upheld by the Supreme Court. Many say he would bring a temperate voice to the court. But that is for you and your Senate colleagues to decide through the “advice and consent” duty laid on you by the Constitution.
You swore to uphold and protect that Constitution, Senator. Informal meetings do not fulfill that responsibility. The Constitution says “the Senate” shall advise and consent – that means a vote, not one party deciding the candidate won’t even be considered.
I work in community mental health. Suppose I said I won’t even assess or treat clients until sometime next year. That would be as unacceptable as you refusing to do your job.
Apparently you believe President Obama should not do his job to fill Supreme Court vacancies for the full term the people elected him to. If that is the case, then a senator’s job likewise should stop after five or so years.
ERLING JORGENSEN
Henniker