What They're Saying in North Dakota about the Supreme Court Nomination

Across the state, North Dakotans continue to speak out against Senate Republicans’ refusal to do their job and give Judge Garland a hearing and vote. From elected officials to local newspapers, North Dakota voices have sounded a disappointed tone in Senator Hoeven’s decision to inject partisanship into the Supreme Court and in his refusal to carry out certain parts of his job for partisan gain. They have asked Senator Hoeven to follow Senator Heitkamp’s lead, and support hearings and a vote for Judge Garland.

Grand Forks Herald: Senator Heidi Heitkamp: Senate must do its job, just as North Dakotans do theirs (Op-Ed). “Our meeting reinforced why Garland's nomination should receive full and fair consideration so senators can ask him questions, and all of us—including the American people—can learn more about him from a public hearing. As I joked with Garland, it's tough being a moderate who looks for common-sense solutions in Washington. But North Dakotans want officials who seek out rational policies and reach results. North Dakotans understand the importance of compromise over partisan politics. And North Dakotans know that every worker needs to do their job to the fullest.”

State Rep. Eliot Glassheim : “Sen. Hoeven, maybe he’s forgotten about this, but he could be a real leader in bringing North Dakota values to Washington if he would come out and favor meeting the guy, giving a hearing and having an up-or-down vote. And that is the North Dakota way that he said he would bring to Washington.”

Forum: Get moving on high court nominee (Editorial). “The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia created a vacancy on the court and, as the U.S. Constitution mandates, the president must nominate a replacement. Despite the political firestorm Scalia’s death has ignited because the nation is in the midst of a nasty presidential election campaign, the president is obligated to act and the U.S. Senate is required to debate and vote on the president’s nominee. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution is clear: ‘... and he shall nominate, and by the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint .... Judges of the supreme Court …’ Shall nominate. Shall appoint.”