About the Institute
April 22, 2016
Senators Hatch, Leahy to discuss U.S. Senate's Role in Confirming Supreme Court Justices
In response to a recent Institute poll showing Americans lack knowledge about the Supreme Court Justice nomination process, the Institute is hosting a panel of experts to discuss the Senate’s role
BOSTON – On Tuesday, April 26th, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who both serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee which considers judicial nominations, will give opening remarks at a panel discussion on Advice and Consent: The U.S. Senate’s role in confirming Supreme Court Justices.
The panel discussion will feature Jeff Blattner, President of Legal Policy Solutions PLLC and former Counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy, and Marty Gold, Partner with Capitol Counsel LLC and former Counsel to Majority Leader Howard Baker. In a moderated conversation with Buzzfeed News Legal Editor Chris Geidner, they will discuss not only the Senate’s role as stated within the Constitution, but also the body’s consideration of past Supreme Court nominees and how, as is currently under display, the confirmation process became so political over time.
In February, the Institute released the results of a national poll gauging Americans’ knowledge about the United States Senate and its role in confirming a Supreme Court Justice, and their view on government and civic engagement.
The poll shows that despite the heightened attention being paid to the Supreme Court nomination process in the wake of the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, and even with the current battle being waged over Chief Judge Merrick Garland’s confirmation, knowledge of the Supreme Court and its nomination process is incredibly low. Only 36% of Americans polled in our recent survey could explain that the Senate confirms a new Supreme Court Justice.
WHAT: Panel discussion on the Senate’s role in confirming Supreme Court Justices
Opening remarks from Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), current members and former chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee
Panel discussion with Jeff Blattner, President of Legal Policy Solutions PLLC, and former Counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy Marty Gold, Partner with Capitol Counsel LLC, and former Counsel to Majority Leader Howard Baker Moderated by Chris Geidner, Legal Editor Buzzfeed News
WHEN: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Kennedy Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC
The discussion will be live streamed at emkinstitute.org RSVP to press@emkinstitute.org
About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Since opening just over a year ago, the Institute has hosted nearly 10,000 students from across the Commonwealth, and has hosted public programming events in both Boston and Washington, DC that have included speakers from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to Congressman John Lewis, to Red Sox Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez.
The Institute is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic lives of their communities. To learn more about the Institute please visit emkinstitute.org.
