“President Obama acted in the country’s best interest this morning by nominating Judge Merrick Garland to serve as associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a strong choice, with impeccable credentials, who deserves speedy confirmation by the Senate.

We are confident that, just as a strong, bipartisan Senate majority confirmed Judge Garland to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1997, fair-minded senators will find him well qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court now.

The politically motivated threats and vows not to act by Republican senators over the last several weeks have done a grave disservice to the country, which has never needed civility in government more than it does now. Our Constitution calls for the president to nominate and the Senate to confirm judicial nominees. The Supreme Court needs nine justices, and the country deserves to have this vacancy filled now.

In coming months and years, the Supreme Court will issue rulings that have a significant impact on our nation’s privacy, labor, women’s and civil rights and other essential laws. Certainly, women rely on the Supreme Court to protect our privacy and equal justice and fairness for all. We need a full complement of nine justices for the full vindication of our constitutional and legal rights. We have every right to expect the Senate to do its constitutional duty, fairly and expeditiously.

We call on every senator to put petty politics aside and do her or his duty by giving prompt and fair consideration to Judge Garland. Women have a tremendous amount at stake.”