Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday shot down the idea of Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland getting a hearing.
McConnell insisted in a floor speech that vacancy should be filled by the next president.
“The next justice could fundamentally alter the direction of the Supreme Court and have a profound impact on our country, so of course the American people should have a say in the Court’s direction," he said.
"The senate will continue to observe the 'Biden Rule' so the American people have a voice in this momentous decision. The American people may well elect a president who decides to nominate Judge Garland for Senate consideration. The next president may also nominate somebody very different. Either way, our view is this: Give the people a voice in filling this vacancy."
President Obama on Wednesday nominated Garland, the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to the Supreme Court.
Obama animatedly called on Republicans to allow a hearing and vote on Garland.
"It is tempting to make this confirmation process simply an extension of our divided politics, the squabbling that's going on in the news every day," he said. "But to go down that path would be wrong. It would be a betrayal of our best traditions and a betrayal of the vision of our founding documents.
"This is precisely the time when we should play it straight."
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/273230-mcconnell-no-hearing-for-garland