Merkley: Senate should take up Garland nomination

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., released the following statement Wednesday after President Obama announced that he would nominate federal Judge Merrick Garland to serve on the United States Supreme Court:

“I thank President Obama for fulfilling his constitutional obligation to put forward a nominee to fill this critical vacancy. I look forward to meeting with Merrick Garland, reviewing his credentials and learning more about his vision for the court. It’s time for the Senate to fulfill our own constitutional obligation to provide advice and consent. We have a responsibility to hold hearings, debates and votes in committee and on the floor. I look forward to fulfilling that responsibility and hope that the Senate as a whole will choose to do its job.”