President Obama on Wednesday nominated Merrick Garland to serve on the Supreme Court. Montana's elected officials in Washington, D.C. responded with the following statements.

Senator Jon Tester:

“It’s now time for the Senate to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and do its job.  I look forward to meeting with Judge Garland and reviewing his credentials to ensure he will uphold the Constitution.  I urge my Senate colleagues to put aside politics, roll up their sleeves, and start governing like the American people deserve.”

Senator Steve Daines:

“The replacement of Justice Scalia will have far-reaching impacts on our country for a generation. The American people have already begun voting on who the next President will be and their voice should continue to be reflected in a process that will have lasting implications on our nation. The U.S. Senate should exercise its constitutional powers by not confirming a new Supreme Court justice until the American people elect a new President and have their voices heard. I will oppose any hearing or votes for President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court.”

Congressman Ryan Zinke:

“President Obama has a history of writing his own rules and ignoring the laws he doesn’t like. This is clearly beyond his constitutional authority, and I have voted every chance possible to stop him in his tracks. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has brought cases forward at every opportunity to stop Obama’s Clean Power Plan, WOTUS, and executive amnesty. With this administration’s onerous rules looming in the courts, the severity of the nomination before us can’t be overstated.

“My  colleagues in the Senate have a unique opportunity before them. To the Senate I say: Fully embrace your job. Fully embrace the Constitution and proactively define the criteria for who should fill Justice Scalia’s shoes. They are big shoes to fill, but America did not give us the congressional majority to do small things.”

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