We ask President Obama to name Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court without waiting on Congress to affirm.

It is critical for the Supreme Court to be fully seated with nine justices. The Congress has abrogated its responsibility to hold hearings and to affirm or reject the appointment of Merrick Garland, an eminently qualified appointment who has already been positively reviewed by both liberal and conservative members of Congress in the past. We can not wait for a new Congress in two months to make a policy of leaving the Supreme Court partially filled at eight members for the next several years.