John Gibbons, former Chief Judge of the Third Circuit, signed a letter released today calling on Senate leaders to act on President Obama’s forthcoming Supreme Court nominee. Former D.C. Circuit Chief Judge Patricia Wald also signed the letter, which was featured in a story by Zoe Tillman in today’s National Law Journal.

The letter argues that there is no election-year exception to the Senate’s duty to consider judicial nominations, and “[t]o recognize such an exception would set a dangerous precedent.”

Gibbons was nominated to the Third Circuit by President Nixon and served from 1970 through 1990, when he retired to head the Gibbons law firm, where he continues to practice today. His seat on the court was filled by Samuel Alito.