Ricardo Hernandez

Mod 5

May 2, 2016

Unit 4 Judicial

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-gop-jeopardizing-integrity-of-judicial-branch-by-blocking-merrick-garland/

Obama: GOP jeopardizing integrity of judicial branch by blocking Merrick Garland

It's an election year and that means no cooperation on behalf of the Republican party. That is what President Obama is saying about the GOP Senate, due to their stubbornness of going through the process of nominating Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Even though Judge Garland is as far as right on the political spectrum any Democratic President would nominate. Senate Majority Leader  Mitch McConnell, just hours after Justice Scalia's death, announced that the Senate would not hold hearings or vote on any nomination by the POTUS.  As Pres. Obama states " it's jeopardizing democracy" and "it erodes the institutional integrity of the Judicial branch."  due to controversial and important issues possibly being held to a 4-4 tie and a stare decisis of the lower courts. Although Judge Garland has met with senators from both parties not much is known if it's influencing the Senate Republican Leadership. Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley will meet Judge Garland Tuesday for breakfast which is a good step. Nonetheless, the political division of parties has once again affected huge and important decisions.

As a student who is fortunate for having AP Government in such a controversial and exciting time in politics, I did not expect this to happen. This ties into our Unit 4 in general due to all branches of government being involved in this whole process. But in particular the Judicial branch because it mainly affects the Supreme Court. A judge is needed for controversial issues such as immigration that is being heard right now. Which I am very aware of due to the fact that that ruling will affect me and my parents. If it ends in a 4-4 tie the lower court ruling stands, which isn't good.  I am extremely  disappointed that the divisions of parties have spread so deep that no hearings will be held for a Supreme Court Justice Nominee. The senate should uphold their constitutional duty and stop acting like little kids. I hope that eventually this issue will be dissolved from our society. One can dream after all.