This is, of course, Judge Garland’s first time appearing before this committee since ascending to the federal bench. I had something to do with that. After the death of Justice Scalia, my Republican colleagues and I decided not to hold a hearing on his nomination — in other words, meaning Judge Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court, having been nominated by President Obama. I admire Judge Garland’s public service. Just because I disagreed with anyone being nominated didn’t mean that I had to be disagreeable to that nominee.