On Wednesday, President Barack Obama issued his nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. South Dakota's three Congressional delegates issued statements about the nomination.
Sen. Mike Rounds
"Whoever is confirmed to fill the open seat on the Supreme Court will be serving a lifetime appointment," said Rounds. "Keeping in mind the current political makeup of the court, the man or woman who will replace Justice Scalia has the potential to hold incredible influence over the ideological direction of the court for a generation to come. It is critically important that the next justice is committed to upholding the principles of the Constitution. We owe it to Justice Scalia, our judicial system and the Constitution to uphold the highest standards when determining our next Supreme Court Justice. We also owe it to the American people to make certain their voice is heard in this election."
Sen. John Thune
"For the last seven years, President Obama has attempted to circumvent Congress and the will of the American people with unconstitutional, overreaching regulations. The Senate Republican majority was elected to be a check and balance to President Obama," Thune said. "The American people deserve to have their voices heard on the nomination of the next Supreme Court justice, who could fundamentally alter the direction of the Supreme Court for a generation. Since the next presidential election is already underway, the next president should make this lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court."
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Rep. Kristi Noem
"It is the President's prerogative to nominate a Justice, but I believe that in the divided political landscape we're in today, it would have been better for our country if President Obama would have declined to make a nomination. The House does not have a role in this process, but the Senate has the constitutional prerogative to advise and consent. The Senate has done its constitutional duty in advising the President, and they are saying: The American people want to wait; they want to have a say in the direction of the Supreme Court."
