[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2435]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE REPUBLICAN SUPPORT OF OBAMA'S SUPREME COURT NOMINATION

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                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 29, 2016

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to urge the Senate 
Republicans to consider President Obama's Supreme Court nominee. It is 
disappointing that our democratic process is being so unduly hindered 
by Senate Republicans who refuse to carry out their basic duties 
clearly laid out for them in the Constitution. The Constitution clearly 
informs us that the President has the power, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate, to nominate a successor for open seats in the 
Supreme Court. The message for Senate Republicans is simple--let the 
President do his job. It is time to put aside partisan issues and get 
back to the basics of governing.
  In previous years, Supreme Court nominations have been at least 
considered during an election year; six times in our U.S. history to be 
exact. So I ask, why change now? If Senate Republicans fail to consider 
the President's Supreme Court nominee during the current election year, 
this will be the first time in U.S. history that our Supreme Court will 
have a vacancy for well over a year. There is simply no legitimate 
rationale for not giving consideration to the President's nominee once 
announced. There is an ample amount of time available for the Senate to 
consider the President's nominee.
  The Supreme Court vacancy is a priority that deserves an unbiased 
hearing and timely vote. Justice and democracy are at stake and there 
is no time for this kind of divisiveness. Republican Senators have a 
constitutional obligation to put away partisan issues and fill this 
vacancy. Senate Republicans, I strongly urge you to fulfil your 
constitutional duty and consider President Obama's nominee for Supreme 
Court Justice.

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