nnecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy are calling on Senate Republican leaders to schedule a vote on President Obama's Supreme Court pick.

"The president fulfilled his constitutional obligation today, now the Senate must fulfill ours,'' Murphy said. "When each one of us took the oath of office, we swore to support and defend the Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of a Senator. If Senate Republicans refuse to consider the president’s nominee, they will be willingly violating the spirit of that sworn oath. They will be dragging the Supreme Court down into the political muck and compromising the independence and effectiveness of the nation's highest court.

Blumenthal praised Merrick Garland, the president's nominee, saying he is "preeminently qualified for consideration" and calling on GOP leaders to begin hearings on the nomination.

"I have known Judge Garland personally for many years, and I intend to review closely his qualifications, past opinions and judicial record,'' Blumenthal said. "Merrick Garland has been an extraordinary judge, prosecutor and public servant, and indisputably President Obama has taken seriously his constitutional responsibility."

Blumenthal added: "The Republican leadership should do the right thing, fully consider Judge Garland’s nomination and spare the Court and the country the significant, unnecessary damage their obstructionism would cause.”

Murphy said he will scrutinize Garland's record as a long-time jurist and former prosecutor. "Over the coming weeks, I will study Mr. Garland’s qualifications and judicial philosophy to determine whether or not he will earn my support for his confirmation to the bench,'' Murphy said.