Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens thinks the Senate should “go ahead and hold a hearing” for President Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland.
The comments came during a public conversation with National Law Journal reporter Marcia Coyle held at the New-York Historical Society on Thursday, according to the Huffington Post.
“I’m not aware of any confirmation process that’s been delayed to the extent that this one is,” Stevens, who retired from the court in 2010, said.
He added that it’s “really unfortunate” that highest court in the land will be at only eight justices into its next term, which begins in October.
Stevens also said that Garland is a “really fine judge and an awfully decent man” and that Obama “couldn’t have picked a better” nominee to fill the late Antonin Scalia’s spot.
Nearly two months have passed since the president nominated Garland. Senate Republicans still refuse to schedule a hearing, saying they want to wait until Obama’s successor takes office.
