Hollywood superstar Barbra Streisand is demanding that President Obama ignore the Senate’s refusal to consider his pick to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia and “appoint” federal appeals judge Merrick Garland.
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) November 14, 2016
In promoting a petition to Obama on her website, Streisand said:
If you are concerned about the Supreme Court, please consider going to this website and signing a petition asking President Obama to “appoint” Merrick Garland. According to the Washington Post, he has the power to do this since Congress has refused to vote, and apparently that can be considered a waiver of its rights to advise and consent. If there are 100,000 signatures, the White House must give this its consideration.
Garland has been blocked by Republicans who had hoped that they would win the White House. Now it will be up to President-elect Trump to select Scalia’s replacement, and possibly several more over the next four years.
Streisand said that a story in the Post suggested that the president can ignore the Senate’s hold because they have abdicated their responsibility to advise and consent on picks.
But, the Post added, the pick would likely end up in court.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
