Under the Dome

NC’s Sen. Thom Tillis delivers Weekly Republican Address

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis speaks to the media after touring the V.A. Hospital in Durham, N.C. on April 10, 2015.
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis speaks to the media after touring the V.A. Hospital in Durham, N.C. on April 10, 2015. cseward@newsobserver.com

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis represented his party in Saturday’s Weekly Republican Address, explaining why the GOP won’t confirm President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

The weekly speech typically responds to the president’s weekly radio address, and the duty rotates among prominent GOP members of Congress.

“This is about principle, not the person the president has nominated,” Tillis said without naming Obama’s pick, federal court judge Merrick Garland. “And it’s why the majority of the Senate has chosen to use this unique situation as an opportunity to let the American people have a voice.”

Tillis said that instead of arguing over the Supreme Court move in a “blatantly partisan back and forth,” Congress needs to “move on to address the many pressing challenges facing our nation.”

“This year, I’ll be leading an effort to reform the military’s health insurance program – and work to ensure that military families with autistic children have access to the care and the therapy they need,” he said.

Tillis called on Obama to work with Congress on bipartisan solutions. “I hope the president’s final months in office will be spent working with both parties to do great things for our nation,” he said.

Watch video of Tillis’ speech below:

This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 6:02 PM with the headline "NC’s Sen. Thom Tillis delivers Weekly Republican Address."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER