What They’re Saying – Environmental Organizations

Environmental Defense Fund: “We Congratulate Judge Merrick Garland On His Nomination. As EDF Works To Achieve Lasting Solutions To The World’s Most Serious Environmental Problems, We Cannot Ignore The Critical Role Of The Supreme Court.”

“‘We congratulate Judge Merrick Garland on his nomination. As EDF works to achieve lasting solutions to the world’s most serious environmental problems, we cannot ignore the critical role of the Supreme Court. The Court has made, and will continue to make, decisions that have an enormous impact on the protection of human health and the environment under our nation’s laws —particularly on issues of climate change and clean air. So it is vitally important that Justices respect the rule of law and faithfully carry out these safeguards to ensure clean air, a safe climate and clean water for all Americans, as the Court has in repeatedly affirming EPA’s responsibility to protect human health and the environment from climate pollution under the Clean Air Act.’” [Environmental Defense Fund Press Release, 3/16/16]

League Of Conservation Voters: “We Applaud President Obama For Fulfilling His Constitutional Obligation To Nominate A Successor To Justice Scalia, And We Believe That Merrick Garland Has Impeccable Qualifications And Will Be A Welcome Addition To The Highest Court In The Land.”

“‘We applaud President Obama for fulfilling his constitutional obligation to nominate a successor to Justice Scalia, and we believe that Merrick Garland has impeccable qualifications and will be a welcome addition to the highest court in the land. It's now time for Senator McConnell, Senator Grassley and other Republican senators to stop obstructing and do their job. Polls show that the American people strongly believe the Senate must give the president's nominee both a fair hearing and a timely vote, and we urge them to do just that.  

“‘Upcoming Supreme Court decisions will have a significant impact our country, including how we address climate change and protect clean air and water, as well as the role of polluter money in politics. The stakes couldn't be higher, and that's why LCV is engaging in this judicial confirmation process in a far bigger way than ever before.’” [League of Conservation Voters Press Release, 3/16/16]

Natural Resources Defense Council: “The President is fulfilling his constitutional obligation. Now the U.S. Senate should do its job by providing the nominee a fair hearing and a timely vote – and not engage in partisan obstructionism.’’ [NRDC, 3/16/16]

Earthjustice: “Today, President Barack Obama Has Fulfilled His Constitutional Obligation To Nominate A Qualified Candidate To Fill The Vacant Seat On Our Nation’s Top Court. This Is A Vital Nomination.”

“Today, President Barack Obama has fulfilled his constitutional obligation to nominate a qualified candidate to fill the vacant seat on our nation’s top court. This is a vital nomination. The U.S. Supreme Court must not remain deadlocked as it attempts to perform its important constitutional role in our democracy. 

“Breaking with tradition and precedent, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley and the other Republicans have vowed to refuse consideration to any nominee by President Obama, no matter how qualified the candidate may be. 

“Their position is indefensible as it ignores both the will of the American people who twice elected the president and the clear text of Article 2 of the Constitution. It also ignores the common value that lies at the very foundation of the American legal system — the right to a fair hearing. 

“Senators should put aside partisan political considerations and do the job the Constitution requires of them by giving Judge Garland a fair and impartial hearing and an up-or-down vote. If Senate Republicans abdicate their responsibility, the Supreme Court will be crippled for at least two terms, and a grossly irresponsible precedent will have been set. 

“President Obama has done his part of this job. It is time for Senate Republicans to do theirs.” [Earthjustice Press Release, 3/16/16]
 

Sierra Club: “Merrick Garland Is Exactly The Kind Of Fair, Even-Handed, And Thoughtful Jurist Who Deserves The Immediate Consideration Of The Senate, And Not More Of The Obstruction Senate Republicans Have Promised.”

“Today, President Obama will nominate Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. The Sierra Club is mobilizing its 2.4 million members and supporters to call on the Senate to do its job, sending more than 77,000 messages to Congress, organizing a letter from the environmental community to the Senate, and participating in actions across the country.  

“In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:   ‘President Obama has done his job, now it's time the U.S. Senate does its job by holding a hearing and a timely vote for this well-qualified, impressive nominee as soon as possible. Merrick Garland is exactly the kind of fair, even-handed, and thoughtful jurist who deserves the immediate consideration of the Senate, and not more of the obstruction Senate Republicans have promised. The Sierra Club's members and supporters across the country will continue to mobilize to ensure the Senate fulfills its constitutional duty, does its job, and gives Merrick Garland the fair and honorable consideration he deserves.’” [Sierra Club Press Release, 3/16/16]

Defenders of Wildlife: “Judge Garland has nearly two decades of distinguished service on our second most important court, the D.C. Circuit. He is entitled to fair consideration, including a Senate Committee hearing and a full Senate vote on his nomination.”

“Today, President Obama nominated DC Circuit Chief Judge Merrick B. Garland to fill a Supreme Court vacancy.

“The following is a statement from Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“‘President Obama has fulfilled his constitutional obligation to nominate a Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. Judge Garland has nearly two decades of distinguished service on our second most important court, the D.C. Circuit. He is entitled to fair consideration, including a Senate Committee hearing and a full Senate vote on his nomination.

“‘A Committee hearing and floor debate will allow all Senators to exercise their Constitutional advice and consent duty on this nomination. A fair, open process will also provide the American people with an opportunity to observe and participate in a decision of this magnitude through their elected Senators.

“‘Supreme Court decisions have had and will have serious implications for the future of our nation’s lands, air, water and wildlife. The Senate must do its job by holding a hearing and a vote on this nomination to fill an important vacancy.’” [Defenders of Wildlife, 3/16/16]

Wilderness Society: “The Wilderness Society welcomes President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland t​o the Supreme Court and urges the Senate to begin its process of reviewing that nomination.”

“‘The Wilderness Society welcomes President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland t​o the Supreme Court and urges the Senate to begin its process of reviewing that nomination,’ said Jamie Williams, president of The Wilderness Society.  ‘We believe that Americans agree more than disagree about the fundamentals of our government, and they also believe in the importance of fairness and careful consideration of the facts.  With that in mind, we hope Congress will work in a bipartisan way to diligently consider this nomination immediately.’” [Wilderness Society, 3/16/16]

Friends of the Earth: “Given Garland’s qualifications, record and prior, bipartisan confirmation as a federal judge, Friends of the Earth believes he deserves a fair hearing on his abilities to serve the will of the people and uphold the responsibilities of our nation’s highest court.”

“Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica offers the following statement:

“‘President Obama has done his job in nominating Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court today. Given Garland’s qualifications, record and prior, bipartisan confirmation as a federal judge, Friends of the Earth believes he deserves a fair hearing on his abilities to serve the will of the people and uphold the responsibilities of our nation’s highest court. Now, it is time for the Senate to do its constitutional job. The American people support the president’s call for a fair review of his nominee, irrespective of political partisanship. At a time when polluters have an unparalleled degree of political power, it is more important than ever that our nation’s highest court be able to deal with critical matters of money in politics, public health and environmental protection.’”  [Friends of the Earth, 3/16/16]