It was nearly impossible on Saturday to separate the tributes to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from the immediate political jockeying over whether Republicans will force through a nomination with just 45 days until the election, after refusing to do so for months after Justice Antonin Scalia died in 2016.
With Republicans maintaining a 53-to-47 majority in the U.S. Senate, and using Vice President Mike Pence as a tiebreaker, President Trump has room to lose a few Republicans and still confirm a potential nominee.
Here’s how the key players in the Senate have indicated they would move on the vacancy on the Supreme Court:
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, on Saturday:
In order for the American people to have faith in their elected officials, we must act fairly and consistently — no matter which political party is in power. President Trump has the constitutional authority to make a nomination to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, and I would have no objection to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s beginning the process of reviewing his nominee’s credentials. Given the proximity of the presidential election, however, I do not believe that the Senate should vote on the nominee prior to the election. In fairness to the American people, who will either be re-electing the President or selecting a new one, the decision of a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should be made by the President who is elected on November 3rd.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, on Friday before news of Justice Ginsburg’s death:
I would not vote to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. We are 50 some days away from an election.
Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Saturday:
The two biggest changes regarding the Senate and judicial confirmations that have occurred in the last decade have come from Democrats. Harry Reid changed the rules to allow a simple majority vote for Circuit Court nominees dealing out the minority. Chuck Schumer and his friends in the liberal media conspired to destroy the life of Brett Kavanaugh and hold that Supreme Court seat open. In light of these two events, I will support President @realDonaldTrump in any effort to move forward regarding the recent vacancy created by the passing of Justice Ginsburg.
Previous Graham statement about potential opening, delivered in 2018:
If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump’s term and the primary process has started, we’ll wait till the next election.
Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican of Iowa, former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in July:
If I were chairman of the committee and this vacancy occurred, I would not have a hearing on it because that’s what I promised the people in 2016.
Senator Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, who faces re-election:
This is a clear choice on the future of the Supreme Court between the well-qualified and conservative jurist President Trump will nominate and I will support, and the liberal activist Joe Biden will nominate and Cal Cunningham will support, who will legislate radical, left-wing policies from the bench.
Senator Martha McSally, Republican of Arizona, who faces re-election:
This U.S. Senate should vote on President Trump’s next nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, who faces re-election, in July:
(If) it is a lame-duck session, I would support going ahead with any hearings that we might have. And if it comes to an appointment prior to the end of the year, I would be supportive of that.
Senator Kelly Loeffler, Republican of Georgia, who faces re-election, in an interview on Saturday:
The constitution allows this process to keep moving forward and the president has every right to nominate someone, and leader McConnell has said that we will have a vote on the Senate floor on this, and I completely support that. We need to bring forward a conservative justice. Someone who will be a strict constructionist, who will protect innocent life, who will bring those Second Amendment cases and make sure we’re protecting our right to bear arms in this country, and we need to keep that process moving, regardless of it being an election year.
Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader, who controls the legislative agenda of the Senate and can call for a vote on a nominee:
President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.
Senator Dianne Feinstein, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee:
Under no circumstances should the Senate consider a replacement for Justice Ginsburg until after the presidential inauguration. Senator McConnell made his position clear in 2016 when he held Justice Scalia’s seat vacant for 10 months so he could deny President Obama an appointment — a goal he himself admitted.
Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader
The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
Derrick Bryson Taylor contributed reporting.
"What" - Google News
September 20, 2020 at 04:11AM
https://ift.tt/2REluUo
What Key Senators Are Saying About Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Replacement - The New York Times
"What" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3aVokM1
https://ift.tt/2Wij67R
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "What Key Senators Are Saying About Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Replacement - The New York Times"
Post a Comment