McConnell, end hissy fit over nomination

President Obama has nominated Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy on the Supreme court created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February.

Senator Mitchell McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, has vowed not to permit hearings or a vote to be held on the confirmation of Judge Garland, currently Chief Justice of the D. C. Court of Appeals.

A person with no strong political leanings in either direction, Judge Garland has been recognized as a jurist of exceptional ability by both Republicans and Democrats. He deserves a hearing.

Senator McConnell has given many reasons for refusing to hold hearings, most notably, that for President Obama to make a nomination with less than a year remaining on his term in office would be politicizing the nomination process for the purpose of the upcoming election. The Constitution finds no problem with holding hearings on Supreme Court nominations under these circumstances and President Reagan nominated and the Senate confirmed Justice Lewis B. Powell to the High Court in 1988 with less than a year remaining on President Reagan's term in office.

It is ridiculous for the Senator to criticize President Obama's action. Senator McConnell should get over his partisan hissy fit, do his job and permit the Supreme Court to become fully functional. The Constitution calls for the vacancy to be filled and the Senator claims he has the country's interests at heart. Obstructionism on his part does not serve the country; he appears to be concerned only about his own political interests.

Donald R. Sutherland

Glen Ellyn