Durbin to Graham: ‘regrettable’ no hearing so far for Garland

Senate Democrats push for confirmation hearing on February 8 Merrick garlandMerrick Brian Garland Democrats weigh in on expansion of lower courts after Trump blitz Biden starts recruiting commission to study Supreme Court reform: report More than 40 lawmakers sign letter urging Merrick Garland to prioritize l abolition of the death penalty LEARN MORE, The choice of President Biden to be attorney general.

Garland has yet to receive a hearing weeks after his appointment, in part because of an oddity that left Republicans in control of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

While Democrats have a majority in the Senate, Republicans still control committees because the Senate has yet to pass a power-sharing agreement. Without any organizational resolution, the Senate committees still follow the organization of the 116th Congress. This leaves Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamTrump announces new impeachment legal team after reported departures 5 lawyers quit Trump impeachment team ahead of trial: Biden reports reignites fight against immigration to Congress MORE (RS.C.) as chairman of the Judicial Committee.

His. Dick durbinDick Durbin Progressives push for controversial budget reconciliation proposal Democrats weigh in on lower court expansion after Trump Biden blitz reignites congressional immigration fight MORE (D-Ill.) Sent a letter to Graham on Monday asking him to schedule the hearing, arguing that there was “simply no justification” for objecting to Garland’s hearing before the Judicial Committee on February 8.

“I find it regrettable that we have not been able to come to an agreement on a timeline for the processing of this appointment. While I remain committed to working with you and Senator Grassley, a new ranking member of the Committee, to find a bipartisan consensus on the timing justifying the postponement of Judge Garland’s hearing, ”Durbin wrote in the letter.

Durbin hinted in his letter that Graham is currently refusing to give Garland a hearing on February 8, writing: “I hope … you will reconsider your objections to having a hearing on February 8.”

Graham’s spokespersons did not immediately respond to a question about Durbin’s request.

If Graham does not accept a hearing on February 8, Durbin warned he was “ready to take further steps to expedite the Senate’s review of Judge Garland’s appointment if his hearing did not take place on February 8 “.

A Durbin spokesperson did not immediately provide details of what action Durbin would be prepared to take. But Durbin defended Garland in his letter.

“It is a mainstream consensus choice that should be quickly upheld both on its merits and because of the pressing need to respond to the January 6 insurgency and other national security risks,” Durbin wrote. .

Democrats can confirm Garland without GOP support once he is appointed to the Senate. Under a rule change passed by Senate Democrats in 2013, lower-level judicial choices and executive candidates only need a simple majority to defeat a filibuster and ultimately be upheld.

This isn’t the first time Republicans have refused to give Garland a hearing.

Former President Obama appointed him to the Supreme Court in 2016, but Republicans refused to give his nomination a hearing or vote due to the impending presidential election. In 2020, Republicans set a new record for the proximity of a presidential election, a Supreme Court candidate confirmed when they delivered justice Amy Coney BarrettAmy Coney Barrett Democrats weigh in on expansion of lower courts after Trump blitz South Carolina Senate voted to ban most abortions in Biden state begins personnel commission to study Supreme Court reform : PLUS report, old President TrumpDonald Trump Biden cancels Trump’s last minute attempt to freeze 0.4 billion programs Trump announces new impeachment legal team after reported departures as Republicans strive to unite as next election cycle approaches MOREThe choice of justice to succeed Ruth bader ginsburgRuth Bader Ginsburg Goodwin Liu’s background and experience makes him an ideal choice for California Attorney General In Biden, the media finally has a religious president to celebrate New York City street and subway signs transformed to welcome Biden, say goodbye to Trump MORE, on the bench.

Graham praised Garland earlier this year when Biden picked him as his candidate for attorney general, calling him a “good choice.”

“If the media reports are correct, I believe Justice Garland would be a good choice to be the next attorney general. He is a man of great character, integrity and enormous legal skills, ”Graham tweeted at the time.