Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Gives Presidential Address With Vice President Biden

Calling for the Senate to act on Chief Judge Merrick Garland’s stalled nomination to the Supreme Court, Vice President Joe Biden and Schnader’s Hon. Timothy K. Lewis gave the president’s weekly address to the nation on Saturday, July 30, 2016. This was a rare honor, as President Obama typically gives the weekly address himself. The tradition dates back to Franklin Roosevelt’s “fireside chats” during the Great Depression.

Lewis is “living proof” that politics does not have to impede the confirmation process. George H.W. Bush nominated him for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Democratic-controlled Senate unanimously confirmed him on the eve of the 1992 presidential election.

In the address, Lewis pointed out that the high court, with only eight members, has been unable to resolve conflicting legal opinions.

“Unresolved decisions by the Supreme Court are leading to federal laws that should apply to the whole country being constitutional in some parts but unconstitutional in others,” he said. “If this continues, our freedom of speech, our freedom to practice our faith, our right to vote, our right to privacy – all could depend on where we happen to live.”

Lewis has been outspoken in advocating for the Senate to take up Judge Garland’s nomination. In May, he spoke at a public hearing held by the Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the nomination. He also took part in a panel discussion titled “The Next Supreme Court Confirmation Battle” at the National Constitution Center.

Click here to view the address.  Read more about it in this article in The Philadelphia Inquirer and this article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.