A representative from NextGen Climate Action Committee holds a sign with others bearing the phrase “Do Your Job,” the theme of Tuesday’s event. (Andrew Merica/MNS)
Wade Henderson, President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, emceed the event late Tuesday afternoon on the Upper Senate Lawn. (Andrew Merica/MNS)
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.: “This is a black mark on the Republicans.” (Andrew Merica/MNS)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., member of Senate Judiciary Committee: “Advise and consent, under the Constitution, means just that. It doesn’t have a little footnote on it that says advise and consent after the presidential election.” (Andrew Merica/MNS)
Amy Cotton, Senior Policy Manager, National Council of Jewish Women: “Next week, as Jews nationwide and across the globe usher in the Jewish New Year, the U.S. Supreme Court will be starting its new term. Unfortunately, they’ll be starting their term with one empty chair because the U.S. Senate has yet to take even the first step in filling the vacancy.” (Andrew Merica/MNS)
Michele Jawando, Vice President for Legal Progress, Center for American Progress: “Our framers intended that each branch of government would be treated as equals, and yet we find ourselves here, 195 days after the president nominated one of the most qualified judges ever to the Supreme Court and we are waiting on the Senate to do their job.” (Andrew Merica/MNS)
Drew Courtney, Communications Director, People for the American Way: “The Republican position on this issue has nothing to do with principle. This is about the Republican party’s agenda to have a partisan platform enacted by a conservative Supreme Court.” (Andrew Merica/MNS)
A rally broke out late Tuesday afternoon on the Upper Senate Lawn calling on Republican senators to “#DoYourJob” and hear Pres. Obama’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. Armed with a megaphone, podium and several signs and T-shirts, more than half a dozen speakers, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., made clear their frustration with the Grand Old Party and that in order to operate effectively, “#WeNeedNine” justices on the bench.
