washington u.s. chief justice john roberts monday reject new mexico lawyer long-shot bid force senate confirmation vote president barack obama supreme court pick merrick garland republican senators refuse act nomination steven michel santa fe environmental attorney file suit u.s. federal court august argue republican-led senate failure act garland nomination deprive michel right voter u.s. constitution 17th amendment outline senators elect u.s. constitution call president nominate supreme court justices confirmation selection hand senate senate move little precedent u.s. history simply refuse consider garland nomination say winner nov. presidential election republican donald trump democrat hillary clinton make pick michel lose low court roberts deny emergency application monday without comment obama nominate garland moderate appeal court judge march 16 fill vacant seat high court create feb. 13 death long-serving conservative antonin scalia trump take office jan. 20 make appointment jan. 18 garland resume hear case current position chief judge u.s. court appeal district columbia circuit accord court calendar garland step aside hear case obama nominate supreme court court currently four conservative justices four liberals scalia replacement could tilt ideological balance years come restore long-standing conservative majority time appear liberals would get upper hand bench could pivotal wide range issue include abortion death penalty religious right presidential power transgender right federal regulations others trump previously unveil list 21 conservative jurists would consider job say month whittle list probably three four last week trump incoming chief staff reince priebus say announcement would make close new president jan 20 inauguration u.s. chief justice refuse force vote obama high court pick