Subject: Today from the Constitutional Responsibility Project
From: Natalie Raps <[email-masked]>
To: Natalie Raps <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 6 May 2016 20:36:26 +0000

Today in the call for a full and functioning Supreme Court: A new CNN/ORC poll finds that a majority of Americans want the Senate to hold a hearing and confirm Chief Judge Merrick Garland, Republican and Democratic U.S. solicitors general find consensus that Chief Judge Garland is "superbly qualified" for the Supreme Court, Retired Justice John Paul Stevens publically states importance of a full, nine bench Supreme Court, and Sen. Grassley tries to defend his "made-up" 'Biden Rule' at an Iowa town hall.

A majority of Americans are united in wanting Senate Republicans to do their jobs.
According to a CNN/ORC<http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2016/images/05/06/rel6d.-.obama,.economy,.garland.pdf> poll:

*         67% of Americans think the Republican leadership in the Senate should hold confirmation hearings, including 59% of Republicans and 68% of Independents

*         52% of Americans would like to see the Senate vote in favor of Merrick Garland, including 50% of Independents

Former Government Lawyers on Supreme Court Nominee Garland: 'Superbly Qualified'
The Wall Street Journal<http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/05/05/former-government-lawyers-on-supreme-court-nominee-garland-supremely-qualified/> reports:

"U.S. solicitors general who served under every president from George H.W. Bush to Barack Obama gave Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland a bipartisan boost this week in a letter to Senate leaders saying he is "superbly qualified" to be a justice. "While we have served in different administrations, we are unified in our belief that Judge Garland is superbly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court if he were confirmed," the letter to Senate leaders said. The U.S. solicitor general represents the federal government before the Supreme Court, and the former officials signing the letter have argued hundreds of cases there."

Grassley Pressed On Made-Up 'Biden Rule': 'We Don't Have A Written Rule'
When asked when a president can no longer nominate a Supreme Court justice, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), admitted that the so-called 'Biden Rule' is less of a rule and more of an excuse.

Sen. Grassley: "I don't think that finite approach can be answered unless you actually want to write a rule or law that says that... I use the term Biden rule, and people think we've got a written rule, we don't have a written rule, and maybe you can think of a better word than understanding. I think that if you are going to get that precise, it ought be something that's on paper." [Talking Points Memo, 5/06/16<http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/grassley-biden-rule>]

Retired Justice John Paul Stevens Tells Senate To Get Moving On That Supreme Court Nominee
As reported in the Huffington Post<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-paul-stevens-supreme-court-nominee_us_572b8118e4b0bc9cb045f4f3>:

Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens: "Go ahead and hold a hearing" on Judge Merrick Garland, Stevens said Thursday... "I'm not aware of any confirmation process that's been delayed to the extent that this one is," Stevens said. He added that it's "really unfortunate" that the court will likely be down one justice months into its next term, which begins in October. Stevens said "there are certain cases you just can't decide" with eight justices, since there is a "distinct possibility" that the court will deadlock 4-4 on the really difficult issues."

Which nominee would you support?
Today, Americans United for Change released a video comparing two very different nominees-Supreme Court nominee Chief Judge Merrick Garland and presumptive Republican nominee for president Donald Trump. You can watch the video HERE<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8IbQu_Co_Q&feature=youtu.be>.

Seth Waxman, former Solicitor General of the United States on Chief Judge Garland: "...exceptionally modest and careful in everything he does..."

Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) on Donald Trump: "...a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot..."

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Releases New Report on Garland's Civil Rights Record & Statement in Support of Nomination
Yesterday, the Lawyers' Committee released a report<https://lawyerscommittee.org/publication/report-nomination-judge-merrick-b-garland/> evaluating the full civil rights record of Supreme Court nominee Chief Judge Merrick Garland. The report provides an examination of his record on cases concerning voting rights, employment, housing, criminal justice, education and access to justice issues. The Lawyers' Committee also released a statement<https://lawyerscommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Lawyers-Committee-Statement-re-Garland-Nomination-2.pdf> from more than 150 attorneys, urging the Senate to take action and allow for a fair hearing on Chief Judge Garland's nomination.

Kristen Clarke, Lawyers' Committee President and Executive Director: "The ability of the Court to effectively resolve the complex cases that come before it is undermined when elected officials use politics as a reason to prolong the vacancy created in the wake of Justice Scalia's death.  We believe that Judge Garland possesses the exceptional competence necessary to serve on the Court and urge the Senate to move forward with hearings to give the public an opportunity to learn more about his commitment to fair interpretation of civil rights laws."

Hispanic National Bar Association endorses Chief Judge Merrick Garland for Supreme Court.
The Latin Post<http://www.latinpost.com/articles/120196/20160505/supreme-court-nominee-merrick-garland-scores-hispanic-national-bar-association-endorsement.htm> reports:

Robert Maldonado, HNBA National President: "Based on our review, it is clear that Chief Judge Garland is well qualified to serve on the United States Supreme Court. He possesses the experience, temperament, and high degree of professionalism required to distinguish himself as a Justice on the Court. His strong record as a prosecutor, judge and private sector lawyer demonstrates a high level of judgment, intellect and integrity."

A look ahead at a sampling of activity by our grassroots allies:

SATURDAY 5/07/16

Event: Greenville #DoYourJob event
Location: Outside Pitt County Courthouse, 100 W Third Street, Greenville, NC 27835
Time: 4PM local time
Host: Americans United for Change
Press Contact: Gerrick Brenner, 919-452-2248, [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>

Event: Green Bay #DoYourJob event
Location: Parking lot behind Democratic Party County office, 118 S Chestnut Ave, Green Bay, WI 54303
Time: 11:30AM local time
Host: Americans United for Change
Press Contact: Tanya Bjork, 608-217-3151, [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>; Joe Zepecki, 202-445-1517, [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>

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