I’m not thrilled with Republicans talking about no vote either. But his position was one that was a lifetime appointment and does not extend to death. The Justice knew this and probably wouldn’t be offended by it. You think if President Obama dies, we have to wait to swear in Biden until everyone has the chance to grieve.....the dems anyway.
The veep automatically becomes president. The Senate has the responsibility to “advise” the president on who to appoint. I think they stopped “advising” decades ago. Now they simply consent and move along. If they truly advised they’d send up a list of names to be considered.