Republican Peter King rips GOP colleagues for Supreme Court obstruction, says 'Constitution should be respected'

Rep. Peter King believes in the Constitution.

(Image credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

published 18 March 2016

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) thinks his GOP colleagues ought to give President Obama's Supreme Court nominee a chance.

In an interview on a Long Island talk radio show, King passed on the chance to blast Obama for submitting a nomination, instead opting to scold his fellow Republicans for their refusal to even consider nominee Merrick Garland. "I disagree with some of the Republicans in that the process itself, the Constitution should be respected," King said. "I think senators should meet with him. And I think they should also consider having hearings. Not bring it to the floor for a vote, but have the hearings so the American people can see what Judge Garland's views are."

Since Obama nominated Garland on Wednesday, Republican leaders have remained steadfast in their refusal to consider confirming him, saying the next president ought to pick the replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia. King thinks if his colleagues just give Garland a chance, they'll realize how qualified the moderate and "very respected judge" is. "Nobody's going to doubt his qualifications," he said. "I do believe the nominee should be treated with respect and the president's process be treated with respect."