Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland Talks Publicly for the First Time

Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland made a surprise appearance on Capitol Hill today, and made his first public statement since President Obama nominated him a month ago, touching off a huge battle with Republicans.

Garland made a few remarks at the federal courthouse that is home to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which he heads, according to a Washington Post report.

Garland spoke at an annual breakfast ceremony honoring law firms where 40 percent of all attorneys have dedicated a significant amount of time to free legal services. A total of 33 of them are in D.C. He didn't bring up the upcoming battle over his nomination, instead focusing on honoring local law firms that provide pro bono work to poor families.

It was likely wise for Garland not to address his touchy situation -- the battle has just begun between President Obama and the Republican Congress over who will take over conservative Antonin Scalia's seat after the justice died earlier this year. Obama called on Congress to consider his nominee and conduct a vote, but Republicans have vowed to keep that from ever happening, attempting to delay the nomination until the next president, which they hope will be a Republican.

Garland has met with a number of senators, but this is the first time he has spoken in public.

Obama announced Garland's nomination in March and urged Congress to take action.

"My earnest hope is that senators take that time to reflect on the importance of this process to our democracy -- not what’s expedient, not what’s happening at the moment, what does this mean for our institutions, for our common life -- the stakes, the consequences, the seriousness of the job we all swore an oath to do," Obama said.

"I hope that they’ll act in a bipartisan fashion," he continued. "I hope they’re fair. That’s all. I hope they are fair. As they did when they confirmed Merrick Garland to the D.C. Circuit, I ask that they confirm Merrick Garland now to the Supreme Court, so that he can take his seat in time to fully participate in its work for the American people this fall. He is the right man for the job. He deserves to be confirmed. I could not be prouder of the work that he has already done on behalf of the American people. He deserves our thanks and he deserves a fair hearing."