WASHINGTON – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association:

“I’m thrilled to celebrate with our working brothers and sisters in the labor movement who dealt a decisive blow to big-money union-busters in the Supreme Court yesterday in the Friedrichs case. For years, wealthy special interests like the Koch brothers have tried to chip away at the bargaining power of unions and public employees like the hard-working educators of the California Teachers Association. Millions of Americans like those devoted teachers in California unionize for one simple reason; they want fair wages they deserve, health and pension benefits and the chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. This case threatened to limit that right. However, the fact that the court deadlocked on a 4-4 split is also a reminder that the American people deserve a fully functioning Supreme Court. It’s time for Republicans in the Senate to stop playing political games and fulfill their Constitutional obligation to hold hearings and allow a vote on the confirmation of the President’s nominee to the Supreme Court vacancy, Chief Judge Merrick Garland.”