WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court:

“Judge Garland is an exceptional judge worthy of the honor of serving on the Supreme Court. On the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, he has served with integrity and distinction fitting of a nominee to our nation’s highest court, and is widely respected on both sides of the aisle. He is the kind of consensus nominee that I believe is needed at this time.

“This remarkably qualified appellate judge deserves a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, thoughtful consideration by the full Senate, and an up-or-down vote. I strongly urge my colleagues to respect the process and hope that they will allow the Senate to perform its constitutional duty to consider Judge Garland’s nomination.”