In February 2016, Sen. Dan Sullivan told Alaska legislators that it was essential that the Senate wait until a new President was chosen before considering a Supreme Court nomination. This was after a vacancy was created on the court, and before President Barack Obama had nominated anyone to fill that vacancy.
With the vacancy “literally in the throes of a presidential election, I think one of the most important things we can do is let the American people, and let the Alaskan people, decide,” Sullivan said.
A month later, in March 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy. But the Republican-led Senate refused to schedule a hearing or a vote on Garland’s nomination. Sullivan offered this defense: “The decision to withhold advancement of Mr. Garland’s nomination isn’t about the individual, it’s about the principle. Alaskans, like all Americans, are in the midst of an important national election. The next Supreme Court justice could fundamentally change the direction of the court for years to come. Alaskans deserve to have a voice in that direction through their vote, and we will ensure that they have one.”
Now the Senate – filled with some of the same Republicans who said they would not advance a Supreme Court nominee eight months before an election – are fast-tracking a controversial pick.
What say you now, Sen. Sullivan? Hypocrisy?
Sharon Stockard
Anchorage
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