House Speaker backs Senate over Obama's Supreme Court nominee

"This has never been about who the nominee is. It is about a basic principle. Under our Constitution, the president has every right to make this nomination, and the Senate has every right not to confirm a nominee," Ryan said.

Ryan said he supported Senate Republican leaders' decision not to move forward with the confirmation process after Democrat Obama sent his nomination of Garland to the Senate on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; editing by Grant McCool)