Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., pushed back on criticism from Democrats that the Senate is shirking its responsibilities by not confirming a new Supreme Court justice in an election year.
Tillis said that the country’s founders set up a system that empowers the president to name a nominee, but gives senators the power to reject, confirm or simply delay speaking on a nomination.
“The president and Democratic leaders aren’t exactly thrilled with giving the American people a voice. And contrary to their claims, the Senate is doing its job and fulfilling its constitutional obligation by deferring consent in order to let the people’s voice be heard,” Tillis said in the weekly Republican address.
President Obama nominated Merrick Garland this week to replace Antonin Scalia, who died earlier this year. Garland is the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Republicans have said they will not confirm a pick from Obama to fill the vacant seat in an election year when voters are heading to the polls to elect a new president.
Democrats deride the suggestion that Republicans want to let voters have a say in the Supreme Court vacancy, pointing out that voters elected President Obama to a second four-year term in 2012. Republicans are simply hoping to prevent Obama from naming a Justice that would shift the balance on the court, Democrats argue. They hope the unprecedented GOP decision to deny Garland even a hearing will backfire on Republicans, helping the minority party regain control of the Senate this year.
Democrats have adopted the saying, “Do your job,” to highlight Republicans’ refusal to consider Garland’s nomination.
Tillis tried Saturday to turn the tables. Instead of fighting over the Supreme Court nominee, Tillis called on Democrats to work with Republicans to raise spending on defense and improve healthcare for veterans.
“Senate Republicans already have their sleeves rolled up and we’re ready to get this and much more done. The question now is what choice the president and Democratic leaders will make,” Tillis said. “Are they going to resort to blocking and sabotaging important legislation and good-faith efforts to help the American people, all in the name of seeking to score cheap political points in an election year?”
