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Lately, the political sphere has been full of exciting news. Not only is the 2016 election in full swing—Tuesday's primaries were major news—but, after the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a SCOTUS seat has been left vacant.

Justice Scalia passed on February 13th, but before that he served on the highest court for almost thirty years starting in 1986. Supreme Court justices serve for life, so a new nominee is a big deal. On Wednesday, President Obama shared his pick for Scalia's replacement as the 113th Supreme Court Justice. 

Meet Merrick B. Garland, the current chief judge for the United States Court of Appeal in D.C.

"I’ve selected a nominee who is widely recognized not only as one of America’s sharpest legal minds," President Obama announced according to the New York Times, "but someone who brings to his work a spirit of decency, modesty, integrity, even-handedness, and excellence."

Though Justice Garland's name is one that had been mentioned by both sides of the political debate—Republican and Democrat—plenty of politicians aren't thrilled with the pick.

"The American people may well elect a president who decides to nominate Judge Garland for Senate consideration," said Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. "The next president may also nominate someone very different. Either way, our view is this: Give the people a voice in the filling of this vacancy."

Many republicans are resistant to President Obama nominating a new supreme court justice no matter who they are and think the decision should be left to whichever new president is elected in November, but Obama disagrees. 

"I am fulfilling my constitutional duty," said the president according to NPR. "I'm doing my job. I hope that our Senators will do their jobs, and move quickly to consider my nominee."

Read more about Obama's pick here.

What do you think about Justice Garland as a potential new SCOTUS judge? Do you think it's up to Obama to nominate the new judge, or should the next president make the pick?

Photos credit: White House

by Montez Jennings | 3/18/2016