When was Merrick Garland nominated for the Supreme Court?
Merrick Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama on March 16, 2016, following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia on February 13, 2016. The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on March 17, 2016, and marked up his nomination on April 14, 2016, but the full Senate did not hold a confirmation vote. The nomination expired when the Senate did not act before the end of the 114th Congress on January 3, 2017.
Background on Merrick Garland
Prior to his Supreme Court nomination, Garland served as a United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1997 to 2021 and as Chief Judge from 2013 to 2020. He also served as a federal prosecutor, including leading the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division during the mid-1990s. His judicial philosophy is generally described as moderate and consensus-oriented.
Key sequence of events
Below is a concise sequence focusing on dates and actions relevant to the nomination. Typical judicial nominations involve the President’s selection, referral to the Judiciary Committee, hearings, committee action, and Senate floor action.
| Date | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2016 | Justice Antonin Scalia dies | Creates the Supreme Court vacancy that prompts a nomination. |
| March 16, 2016 | President Obama nominates Merrick Garland | The formal start of the nomination process at the federal level. |
| March 17, 2016 | Senate Judiciary Committee holds first hearing | Committee members question the nominee and assess qualifications. |
| April 14, 2016 | Judiciary Committee votes to report the nomination favorably | Marks committee approval, but the full Senate does not take further action. |
| January 3, 2017 | Nomination expires | The 114th Congress ends; no confirmation vote occurs in the full Senate. |
Context on Supreme Court nominations near an election
Under long-standing Senate practice, presidents typically continue to nominate justices in an election year unless the Senate explicitly acts to block or delay consideration. While this Garland case became notable for the Senate majority’s decision not to hold a hearing or vote, the nomination followed established procedures for referral and committee review. The outcome hinged on the Senate’s decision not to advance the nomination rather than a committee rejection or a full Senate vote.
What happened after the nomination lapsed
After the nomination expired, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team and the incoming Senate Republican leadership indicated they planned to revisit the seat with a nominee of their own. Justice Scalia’s seat remained vacant until the swearing-in of Justice Neil Gorsuch in April 2017. This transition marked the next chapter for the Court’s vacancy that began with Garland’s nomination.
Key facts at a glance
These details summarize the essential facts about Garland’s Supreme Court nomination for quick reference.
- Nominated by: President Barack Obama
- Nomination date: March 16, 2016
- Background: Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit and longtime federal prosecutor
- Committee action: Judiciary Committee reported favorably on April 14, 2016
- Senate floor action: No confirmation vote held; nomination expired January 3, 2017
- Successor: Justice Neil Gorsuch, nominated by President Trump and confirmed in April 2017
Why the nomination remains significant
The Garland nomination is significant because it highlighted tensions between the White House and the Senate around the timing of an election-year Supreme Court vacancy. It also underscored the role of Senate procedure in shaping when and whether a nominee receives a full vote. The episode informs ongoing discussions about norms, process, and vacancies in the years since.