Say that Senate leaders should stop hiding behind excuses and give Judge Garland a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote.

Stjepan -- It's been 41 days since President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court, fulfilling his constitutional duty. Over the past several weeks, Judge Garland has personally met with dozens of senators, and -- just as they have since the day the vacancy opened -- Republican senators are refusing to do their jobs and give the President's nominee a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote. Senators have a key constitutional role to play in the nomination process, scrutinizing every nominee and preserving the integrity of the court. But their role also comes with the perfect forum to address whatever concerns they might have about Judge Garland's qualifications: public hearings. So if these senators have legitimate questions about his fitness for the Supreme Court, why not hold hearings and voice them?Some of them have taken to arguing that "the people should decide" -- but that's exactly what they did when they elected President Obama. So why won't these senators hold a vote? Say that Senate leaders should stop hiding behind excuses and give Judge Garland a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote. They're skipping out on their jobs for a reason. I think Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley, and their allies are afraid. I think they're afraid the American people can see through their partisan political games. They're afraid that the American people will find out that Judge Garland is an experienced and reasonable judge who will fairly interpret the law. And they're afraid because they know that we don't want our leaders to resort to this take-my-ball-and-go-home brand of politics.If they have a legitimate concern about this nomination, they should hold a hearing and ask some questions on the people's behalf. That's their job. And if they don't have any legitimate concerns, they should hold a vote -- that's their job too. Raise your voice -- stand up for a fair hearing for Judge Garland: https://my.barackobama.com/A-Fair-Hearing-For-Judge-Merrick-Garland Thanks, Jack Jack Shapiro Director of Policy and Campaigns Organizing for Action