Bennet Statement on Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement after his meeting today with Chief Judge Merrick Garland, the President's nominee to fill the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court:

"We had a very productive meeting that confirmed what I already know: Judge Garland is an intelligent and pragmatic jurist who is extraordinarily well-qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.

"Our job in the Senate is to learn about Judge Garland's record, conduct hearings, and vote to confirm or deny his nomination. Because he is thoughtful, thorough, and well-respected across the political spectrum, obstructing a fair process, much less refusing to meet with him, makes no sense.

"How we manage this duty to provide serious consideration and deliberation to a rare appointment to the nation's highest judicial office will determine whether we deserve the respect of Americans who rightly expect us to exhibit dignity, mutual respect, and wisdom on their behalf."

Judge Garland clerked for Judge Henry Friendly on the Second Circuit and then Supreme Court Justice William Brennan. He previously served under both Republicans and Democrats at the Justice Department as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and as an aide to the Attorney General. His confirmation to the D.C. Circuit received bipartisan support in the Senate.

As the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, Garland supervised the prosecution of the Oklahoma City bombing case, which took place in Denver. He also supervised the case against the Unabomber.