Senators Inhofe, Lankford Statement on Meeting with Judge Garland

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Supreme Court nominee Judge Merrick Garland to extend their deep appreciation for his critical role following the 1995 investigation into the Oklahoma City Bombing. Following the Court’s vacancy, both Senators firmly stated that they are not supporting a President Obama nomination to the Supreme Court during this presidential election year. 

“During our time with Judge Garland, we extended Oklahoma’s gratitude for the many weeks he spent in our state working for justice for those who lost loved ones from the Oklahoma City Bombing. Judge Garland was aware going into this meeting that we will not support any Supreme Court nomination during this presidential election year. The Senate’s constitutional role of ‘advice and consent’ includes the ability to choose the right time and determine if the nominee is the right person. Well before the President nominated Judge Garland, the majority of the Members of the Senate determined that a presidential election year is not the right time to start a nomination process for the Supreme Court. We should continue the long-standing election-year precedent and let Americans have a voice on the future direction of the Court.”

On March 27, Inhofe and Lankford published an op-ed in The Oklahoman regarding the Supreme Court vacancy and the opportunity Americans have in this presidential cycle to determine the direction of the country for the next generation.

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