NASW Statement:
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is pleased President Obama has nominated Judge Merrick Garland to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Garland is highly qualified and respected and NASW expects the U.S. Senate to fulfill its obligation and hold hearings on his nomination in reasonable time.
It will be a disservice to the nation if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) does not meet with Garland and maintains his position that it is best to wait until after the November presidential election to hold hearings on a new U.S. Supreme Court justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia.
Such a position will leave a vacant seat in the court for more than a year. This will delay decisions on U.S. Supreme Court cases involving issues important to the social work profession and the people whom social workers serve, including female reproductive rights, voting rights, equal opportunity in education, immigration reform, and labor rights.
NASW agrees with other national civil and human rights organizations that “courts matter.” Therefore, NASW strongly urges the Senate to “Do Their Job and Honor Constitutional Obligation to Fill the Supreme Court Vacancy.”
For more information on this issue contact NASW Manager of Social Justice and Human Rights Mel Wilson at mwilson@naswdc.org.
