What They’re Saying – The Latino Community

Mi Familia Vota Executive Director Ben Monterroso: “Before Today’s Announcement, President Obama Promised To Appoint A Person With A ‘Sterling Record,’ A ‘Deep Respect For The Judiciary’s Role,’ And ‘An Understanding Of The Way The World Really Works.’ Today, The President Nominated Judge Garland.” 

“The following is a statement by Mi Familia Vota Executive Director Ben Monterroso: ‘Before today’s announcement, President Obama promised to appoint a person with a ‘sterling record,’ a ‘deep respect for the judiciary’s role,’ and ‘an understanding of the way the world really works.’ Today, the president nominated Judge Garland. ‘The Supreme Court and the decisions it makes affect all of us, including our basic rights as Americans. This is too important to be treated by the Senate as a partisan fight. ‘Unfortunately, even before President Obama announced Garland as his pick -- a judge who was widely praised by Republicans when he was previously considered for the high court -- Senate Republicans decided not to consider the nominee; not even show respect by meeting with him. ‘Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a GOP leader and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the nominee will be treated like a ‘piñata.’ That kind of talk is disrespectful to us, the voters. ‘By refusing to act, the Republican-controlled Senate is undermining a pillar of our democracy. It is obstructing justice by denying full court consideration of cases that are important to our community. ‘These senators also are disregarding one of the basic rules of life: do your job or get fired. ‘Every day, we get up, get our kids off to school and go to work, as teachers, firefighters, construction workers, baby sitters. We don’t get to pick and choose which parts of our jobs we want to do, and we do our jobs as best as we can. ‘So, our message to the Senate is loud and clear: do your job. We won’t repeat Sen. Cornyn’s threat to treat you like a ‘piñata’ and beat you with a stick. We will beat you with our votes in November.’” [Mi Familia Vota Press Release, 3/16/16]

US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: “As the highest court in the nation, the Supreme Court should be above politics. It stands to reason that the confirmation of one of its justices should also be free from political games.”

“Statement from USHCC President and CEO Javier Palomarez: “The USHCC strongly supports the nomination of Merrick Garland for the United States Supreme Court.

“As the highest court in the nation, the Supreme Court should be above politics. It stands to reason that the confirmation of one of its justices should also be free from political games.

“Although Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee have announced their intention of opposing Garland's confirmation, the USHCC urges them to reconsider their stance. Any President has the constitutional right to appoint a Supreme Court justice during the remainder of his presidency. This seat should not and cannot be left vacant until the next Presidential Administration.

“Pending Supreme Court cases addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time, such as immigration, public education and healthcare, will be heard in the near future. The Senate must stand on the right side of history, fulfill its legislative duties, and confirm a Supreme Court justice without drama or delay.

“As the Chief Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Garland is a devoted public servant with a track record of success. He is a strong, bipartisan choice for the Supreme Court.

“Throughout his career, Garland has long been considered a persuasive centrist voice on some of issues most important to the American small business community, including national security and the environment. The son of small business owners, he understands the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurialism. The USHCC looks forward to his swift confirmation in the upcoming weeks.” [Marketwired, 3/17/16]

Hispanic National Bar Association: “The HNBA Looks Forward To Evaluating Judge Garland’s Record In Accordance With Our Judicial Due Diligence Review Process And Will Make A Recommendation On His Nomination.”

“Today, Robert T. Maldonado, National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, released the following statement after President Barack Obama announced his nomination of Merrick Garland as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States. Garland is currently Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. 

“‘We congratulate Chief Judge Merrick Garland on his nomination to the serve on the highest court in our nation. The HNBA looks forward to evaluating Judge Garland’s record in accordance with our judicial due diligence review process and will make a recommendation on his nomination. 

“‘We call on the Senate to fulfill, in a timely fashion, its own judicial review process, as outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States. This means giving Chief Judge Garland a fair hearing in the Judiciary Committee and an up-or-down vote on whether to proceed on his nomination. Should they refuse or fail to do so, Senate leaders will not only be abdicating their constitutional duty; they will be thwarting the will of the American people and denying millions the full relief that only the highest court in the land provides.’” [Hispanic National Bar Association Press Release, 3/16/16]

Congressional Hispanic Caucus: “President Obama has fulfilled his constitutional obligation by nominating Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court of the United States. It is now time for the Senate to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and consider the president’s nominee.”

“Representative Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today released the following statement on the nomination of U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit Judge Merrick Garland to the United States Supreme Court:

“‘President Obama has fulfilled his constitutional obligation by nominating Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court of the United States. It is now time for the Senate to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and consider the president’s nominee. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus urges swift and thoughtful consideration of Chief Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination.

“‘I would also like to remind my Senate Republican colleagues that the American people – including 11.2 million Latinos who voted in the 2012 election – do have a voice in this nomination. The American people expressed their will when they overwhelmingly reelected President Obama to a second full term – with the understanding that if a vacancy occurred, it is part of the President’s duty to nominate a Supreme Court Justice. If Senate Republicans fail to meet with and hold a hearing on Judge Garland’s nomination, it will disenfranchise the voices of millions of Americans.

“‘The vacancy before us is one that is critically important for Latinos living in the United States.  There are several cases before the Supreme Court this year and without a ninth Justice, the Latino community has so much to lose. The President has fulfilled his obligation, now all eyes are on the Senate to do the same.’” [CHC, 3/16/16]

Dolores Huerta, People for the American Way: “I’m proud to support the confirmation of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, and I’m glad that President Obama decided to move the process forward even in the face of Republican threats to ignore the Constitution and block the nominee.”

“Civil rights leader and People For the American Way board member Dolores Huerta today applauded the nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.

“‘I’m proud to support the confirmation of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, and I’m glad that President Obama decided to move the process forward even in the face of Republican threats to ignore the Constitution and block the nominee. It’s appalling that Republicans would refuse to give fair consideration to someone as qualified and committed to the Constitution as Merrick Garland.

“‘Latinos have a huge amount at stake at the Supreme Court. Whether it’s the fate of undocumented immigrants, or a woman’s right to choose, or the ability of workers to demand fair treatment in the workplace, the issues that matter to our community are going to be decided by the Supreme Court. It’s critical that we have someone who understands the impact that the Court’s rulings have in the real world, and it’s critical that we stand up to Republicans who want to play politics with the Constitution.’” [PFAW, 3/16/16]

National Hispanic Leadership Agenda: “President Obama has performed his constitutional duty in nominating a highly experienced jurist to the court. Now the Senate must perform its duty to consider this nominee without delay.”

“Hector Sanchez, NHLA chair and executive director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court:

“‘Decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court have a profound effect on Latinos. From rulings on immigration policy to voting rights to labor law, the impact of the court is deep and lasting, and it plays a vital role in our democracy. With the integrity of our judiciary at stake, it would be deeply irresponsible for senators to obstruct a nominee to the court. President Obama has performed his constitutional duty in nominating a highly experienced jurist to the court. Now the Senate must perform its duty to consider this nominee without delay. The stakes are much too high for senators to disregard that obligation.

“‘Merrick Garland has a long history of support from both sides of the aisle, and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda looks forward to carefully reviewing his qualifications and his record. We urge all senators to do the same.’” [NHLA, 3/16/16]

National Council of La Raza: “Judge Garland is eminently qualified and perhaps one of the most experienced candidates to have ever received a Supreme Court nomination.”

“Earlier today, President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court. NCLR (National Council of La Raza) firmly believes that Judge Garland deserves Senate consideration of this nomination and urges the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty.

“‘Judge Garland is eminently qualified and perhaps one of the most experienced candidates to have ever received a Supreme Court nomination,’ said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. ‘The president has fulfilled his duty to the American people to choose a nominee. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility and a duty to their constituents—the majority of whom believe that the Senate should consider a nominee—to conduct a fair and swift process on this nomination.’” [NCLR, 3/16/16]

Hispanic Federation: “We applaud President Obama for his thoroughness and timeliness in identifying a highly qualified candidate for this important position.”

“Hispanic Federation has issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court of the United States.

“‘In keeping with his constitutional duties, President Barack Obama today nominated Judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy created on the Supreme Court of the United States by the untimely death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. We applaud President Obama for his thoroughness and timeliness in identifying a highly qualified candidate for this important position. Judge Garland has a long record as a prosecutor, counselor and judge. That record should be the basis for a fair and immediate hearing by the Senate Judiciary committee and, ultimately, an up or down vote on his nomination.

“‘We are deeply troubled that Republican members of the Senate have indicated their unwillingness to grant Judge Garland a hearing. The Senate has the constitutional mandate to consider the President’s nominees fairly and to vote, as their consciences dictate, whether to confirm the nomination. Arguments by the Senate Republicans that the process of choosing Associate Justice Scalia’s replacement should fall to President Obama’s successor are cynical and run counter to the history of judicial nominations. President Obama was elected by a majority of the American people in 2012 and he is entitled to a fair hearing and vote on his nominee. We join with millions of other Americans in calling on Republicans in the Senate to do their jobs and schedule hearings for Judge Garland immediately.’” [Hispanic Federation, 3/16/16]

League of United Latin American Citizens: “Judge Garland’s decades of judicial experience and his commitment to public service make him eminently qualified to serve as an U.S. Supreme Court Justice.”

“Today, President Obama announced Merrick Garland, Chief Justice for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, as his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. In response, LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. issued the following statement:

“‘Judge Garland’s decades of judicial experience and his commitment to public service make him eminently qualified to serve as an U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Now that President Obama has fulfilled his constitutional duty by nominating a justice to fill the vacancy on the court, we call upon the U.S. Senate to meet their 'advice and consent' obligation and ultimately hold a vote on Judge Garland's nomination. The American people deserve to have a Supreme Court composed of all 9 members who can decide constitutional matters that affect our fundamental rights. With so many issues of importance to the Latino community pending before the Supreme Court, such as President Obama’s administrative actions on immigration, we urge the Senate to act swiftly in considering and confirming Judge Garland. Doing anything short of that would be putting party politics ahead of the interests of the American people.’” [LULAC, 3/16/16]