Hi, everybody. It's now been 45 days since I nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Judge Garland is a man of experience, integrity, and unimpeachable qualifications. Judge Garland is someone who Senate Republicans are on record saying is “a man of accomplishment and keen intellect;” a man who's “honest and capable;” a man whose “reputation is beyond reproach.” Those are all quotes from Republicans in the Senate.
大家好！自我提名梅里克·加兰德出任最高法院大法官至今已经过去45天了。加兰德法官经验丰富、为人正直，出任这一职位对他而言实至名归。参议院的一些共和党人士称加兰德法官是“一位成就突出、才智出众的人”、是“诚实而有能力的人”、是一位“声誉无可指摘的人”。这些言论都来自于参议院的共和党人之口。
But so far, most Senate Republicans have refused to even meet with Judge Garland. Which means they've also refused to do their job and hold a hearing on his nomination, or an up-or-down vote. But they've still found time to head home for recess over the next week.
但时至今日，大部分的共和党参议员依然拒绝与加兰德法官会面。这也意味着他们依然不想承担他们的职责，召开关于他的提名的听证会或进行一场表决投票。但再过一周他们就会忙着回家度假了。
This is an abdication of the Senate's responsibility. Every Supreme Court nominee since 1875 who hasn't withdrawn from the process has received a hearing or a vote. For over 40 years, there's been an average of 67 days between a nomination and a hearing. This time should be no different. This is not about partisan politics–it's about upholding the institutions that make our democracy work.
这是对参议院职责的亵渎。自1875年以来，任何一位最高法院大法官的提名都没有在听证会或投票阶段被撤回。过去的40多年里，从提名到听证会的平均时间间隔是67天。这一次也不应该出现例外。这不是两党政治斗争的问题，而是坚持让我们的民主体系正常运转的问题。
There's a reason Judge Garland has earned the respect of people from both political parties. As a young lawyer, he left a lucrative private firm to work in public service. He went to oversee the federal response to the Oklahoma City bombing. For the last 19 years, Judge Garland has served on the D.C. Circuit Court–often called “the Second Highest Court in the Land”–and for the past three years, he's served as that court's Chief Judge. In fact, Judge Merrick Garland has more federal judicial experience than any other Supreme Court nominee in history. With a brilliant mind, a kind spirit, and a good heart, he has dedicated his life to protecting our rights, and ensuring that the voices of everyday Americans are heard.
加兰德法官能够赢得两党的共同尊敬是有原因的。作为一名年轻律师，他离开了待遇优厚的私人律所，来到公共部门服务。他曾前往俄克拉荷马市爆炸案现场视察联邦应急处置情况。过去19年里，加兰德法官一直在华盛顿特区巡回法院供职，这一法院通常被称为“全国第二高等法院”，过去的3年里，他还是该法院的首席大法官。实际上，梅里克·加兰德法官拥有比历史上其他最高法院大法官提名人选更多的联邦司法经历。他头脑睿智、善良仁义，他把一生都奉献给保护人民权利的事业，确保每一位美国人都可以表达自己的意见。
So there is absolutely no reason for Republican Senators to deny him the basic courtesy of a hearing and a vote–the same courtesy that has been extended to others. This refusal to treat a Supreme Court nomination with the seriousness it deserves is what makes people so cynical about Washington. That's why poll after poll shows a majority of Americans think Senate Republicans should do their job; give Judge Garland a hearing; and give Judge Garland a vote.
因此，共和党参议员们完全没有理由拒绝为他举行听证会和投票，因为他们为其他人都做到了这一点。这种拒绝严肃对待最高法院大法官提名人选的做法，会让人们对华盛顿嗤之以鼻。正因如此，一轮又一轮的民意测验说明，大部分美国人都认为共和党参议员应该做好自己的工作，给加兰德法官一次听证和投票表决的机会。
For all of our political differences, Americans understand that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. And in the middle of a volatile political season, it is more important than ever that we fulfill our duties–in good faith–as public servants. The Supreme Court must remain above partisan politics. I've done my job–I nominated someone as qualified as Merrick Garland. Now it's time for the Senate to do their job. Give Judge Garland a hearing. Give Judge Garland an up-or-down vote. Treat him–and our democracy–with the respect they deserve.
对于我们在政治上的分歧，美国人民都很清楚，让我们团结在一起的因素比让我们分裂的因素要强大的多。在总统竞选白热化的时期，我们作为公职人员，真心实意地履行我们的职责就显得尤为重要。最高法院的提名人选事宜理应超越党派政治之争。我已经完成了我的工作，我提名梅里克·加兰德这位有资格出任这一职位的人选。现在，轮到参议院做好他们的工作了。请给加兰德法官一次听证、投票的机会。以尊重的心态对待他，以敬畏的心对待我们的民主制度。
Thanks for listening, and have a great weekend.
谢谢收听，祝大家周末愉快！ |