Garland to send Senate his Supreme Court questionnaire

The White House on Monday announced that Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland has completed a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire about his qualifications.

Garland is returning the document to lawmakers on Tuesday, The Hill has learned from a White House spokeswoman.

{mosads}“Tomorrow, in addition to continuing to meet with senators of both parties, Chief Judge Garland will submit his questionnaire to the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Brandi Hoffine said in an email. “The questionnaire and associated materials present an exhaustive picture of Judge Garland’s distinguished career and his impeccable credentials as a nominee to the Supreme Court.

“We expect that upon receiving the questionnaire, Senate Judiciary Committee members will do their jobs by reviewing the information, noticing a hearing so that the American people can hear directly from Chief Judge Garland as he answers questions under oath and giving him a fair up or down vote.”

Former Justice Antonin Scalia died in February, setting up a heated presidential election year battle over his potential replacement.

President Obama nominated Garland to the nation’s highest court in March, prompting the GOP-led Senate Judiciary Committee to refuse hearings over his potential confirmation.

Hoffine on Monday said Republican opposition to a hearing over Garland contradicts decades of American judicial history.

“Every nominee since 1875 who wasn’t withdrawn from consideration has received a hearing and/or a vote. With more federal judicial experience than any other Supreme Court nominee in history and a long record of public service, we expect the Senate will give Chief Judge Garland the same fair consideration as prior nominees.”

Garland has met with 46 senators since his nomination 54 days ago, including 14 Republican lawmakers. Only two GOP senators — Sens. Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Susan Collins (Maine) — have publicly voiced support for holding a confirmation hearing.

Critics say Obama should not name a new Supreme Court justice because it is an election year, arguing next president is better suited for picking Scalia’s replacement instead.