“We don’t expect the President to rush this through this week, but instead will do so in due time once the Senate returns from their recess”, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Sunday.
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“If Mitch McConnell schedules a vote, if President Obama nominates somebody to the high court, can you imagine the damage it’s going to do to the court given the partisan divide?” she observed. She also said the court’s makeup is crucial to preserving abortion rights and the legality of gay marriage nationwide.
“We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that would undermine the religious liberty of millions of Americans”, said Texas GOP Sen.
According to federal officials, Scalia was found dead of natural causes at a West Texas ranch. But really their concern is that Obama will appoint a justice who’s far more liberal than Scalia, who was consistently one of the more conservative justices on the bench.
Nearly immediately upon the news of the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the argument began over whether President Barack Obama should appoint a justice to fill the vacancy in the 9-person court or leave that decision to his successor.
Still, Sanders on Saturday slammed Senate Republicans for refusing to confirm a replacement until a new president is elected. So the death of Justice Scalia has the potential to turn this union case – and by extension the powerful union politics in California – completely upside down.
With three other justices over the age of 75, the next president could have other vacancies during his or her tenure, even if Obama fills Scalia’s seat.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaking at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 18, 2015. The defiance of the president could energize his political base and drive more voters to support Democrats in the presidential primaries and November election.
“Justice Antonin Scalia dedicated much of his life to public service and never wavered in his dedication to the court”, Lujan said.
Conservatives have been quick to point out that Schumer sang a very different tune when he spoke at the July 2007 convention of the American Constitution Society, months after the Democrats had reclaimed the majority in the Senate.
His announcement seemed to tamp down the passionate election-year debate about replacing Scalia and whether Obama would try to make an appointment while Congress is in recess. Republicans are calling for him to hold off until after the election over fears of a strong liberal majority on the court. An uncompromising conservative since arriving in the Senate, Cruz vowed to put “principled constitutionalists” on the Supreme Court.
The 2016 presidential contest has sucked up the nation’s political oxygen, but beneath that marquee race is a broader fight for control of the Senate, the outcome of which will be hugely consequential for the next president.
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The GOP already looks as if they are on the brink of nominating an anti-immigration candidate, Donald Trump, at a time when everyone knows the Hispanic voting block is essential to win a national election.
