The Senate Judiciary Committee is being called on by leaders of the state's legal community to begin Supreme Court Justice confirmation hearings on Judge Merrick Garland.  Connecticut Bar Association President-elect Monte Frank of Newtown says the confirmation hearings should be held.

Frank says the Supreme Court needs a full complement of Justices because any 4-to-4 decisions will not establish precedent.  While the Court will continue to function, he says tied decisions will leave open questions on issues that are vital to the lives of every day people of Connecticut and the nation.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the committee, says Garland has impeccable credentials and certainly merits consideration.  He called on his colleagues to do their job.