Posted on 02/13/2016 6:24:27 PM PST by jazusamo
Senate Democrats moved quickly Saturday to demand action on a Supreme Court nominee following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called Scalia a "brilliant man" and "dedicated jurist" in a statement and said the work on filling his vacancy should begin immediately.
"The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. With so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible," Reid said. "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities."
Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said the American people deserve to have a fully functioning Supreme Court.
"Although I often did not agree with his legal opinions, no one doubted his commitment or his brilliance," Leahy said of Scalia. "I hope that no one will use this sad news to suggest that the President or the Senate should not perform its constitutional duty."
Leahy said the Supreme Court is far too important to the nation's democratic system to be left understaffed for partisan reasons.
"It is only February," he said. "The President and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court."
A spokesman for Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a conservative who sits on the Judiciary panel, said on Twitter after the news of Scalia's death that no nominee from Obama should be considered. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a presidential candidate, echoed Lee in a statement.
"The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear."
"Today, our nation has suffered a deep loss," he said. "Justice Scalia was one of the most consequential Americans in our history and a brilliant legal mind who served with only one objective: to interpret and defend the Constitution as written."
The conservative Judicial Crisis Network said President Obama should be the last person to appoint Scalia's successor.
"This president, who has shown such contempt for the Constitution and the laws, is the last person who should be appointing his successor," Carrie Severino, the group's chief counsel and policy director, said in a statement. "The American people on both sides of the aisle are disgusted with the status quo in Washington and another nomination by this President would just bring about more of the same."
Severino said the next presidential should make the appointment.
"The people's voice should be heard in November to determine who will appoint the next Supreme Court Justice," she said.
“Obama will find one quick because they’re at recess until Feb 22. Just watch!”
Valerie Jarret stated in November 2012 “After we win this election, it’s our turn. Payback time. Everyone not with us is against us and they better be ready because we don’t forget. The ones who helped us will be rewarded, the ones who opposed us will get what they deserve. There is going to be hell to pay. Congress won’t be a problem for us this time. No election to worry about after this is over and we have two judges ready to go.â€
Obama and Jarret already have at least two appointments to the court vetted and ready to go. The announcement will occur when they perceive the timing is right.
They’ve been taking the GOP’s lunch money for years now. And even after we gave them both houses.
Why should it make any difference to the `rats that McConnell and Ryan are now wearing their snappy hall monitor badges?
This is one reason we want to send a non-GOPe-r to the WH, instead of another fake tough guy. He can’t do any worse.
McConnell, and company had better stand firm, or by this time next year the Democrats will have finalized the conversion of this Constitutional Republic into a Socialist Hell Hole.
What kinda action they want?
3 or 11 works
Certainly can’t wait until after the funeral.
Probably should setup televised hearings so Anita Hill can give testimony.
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