Sanders: GOP Will Pay a ‘Heavy Political Price’ If They Continue to Block SCOTUS Pick

‘I will strongly support the president’s selection’

MADDOW: “I’m very pleased to say that joining us now for the interview is Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Senator Sanders, it’s really nice to see you again. Thank you so much for being here. I know it’s a busy time for you.”
SANDERS: “Good to be with you, Rachel.”
MADDOW: “Let me start right in on the other big news story that has not about your race for the president right now, which is about the Supreme Court. What do you think of President Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland for that — for that vacancy?”
SANDERS: “Well, probably not the most progressive pick that he could have made, but I will strongly support the president’s selection of justice — of Judge Garland. The idea that the president should not be able to make a nomination is totally absurd. Republican obstructionism just tells us what’s been going on for the last seven years. I will do everything that I can to see that there is hearings, that a vote takes place and that Garland becomes seated on the Supreme Court.”
MADDOW: “One of the things that has been, I think, one of the most compelling story lines and evolving things we’ve learned about President Obama over the time he’s been in office is to watch how he has responded to Republican obstructionism, whether he has, you know, continued to expect them to cave or whether he’s been optimistic or whether he’s been pessimistic about these things. I don’t know where you are on that score, do you actually think the Republicans on an issue like this will eventually cave, that they’ll eventually do the right thing or is there no chance that Garland will get a hearing?”
SANDERS: “Rachel, it’s hard to say but this is what I do believe. I think the vast majority of the American people certainly Democrats, most independents and a number of Republicans do not believe that it is appropriate for the Republicans to act in an obstructionist way when the Constitution is 100 percent clear. The president of the United States has the right to nominate someone to be a justice of the Supreme Court. Senate’s function is to hold hearings and to vote. I think the Republicans will pay a very heavy political price if they continue to obstruct on this issue. I think you could go forward with a strong candidate and play it out.”

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