Christie: Supreme Court nominee should get hearing

Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) is calling for Senate Republicans to hold hearings on President Obama’s forthcoming nominee to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

“As I’ve always said, I believe that’s absolutely the right thing to do. People can vote up or down however they choose, but hearings should be held,” Christie told reporters in Trenton, N.J., on Monday.

{mosads}Progressive groups immediately circulated video of his comments, which puts him apart from GOP leaders who say the next president should fill the vacancy.

Christie made the remarks at a press conference announcing his pick to fill a state Supreme Court vacancy, naming a judge he nominated in 2012 but who didn’t get a confirmation hearing.

“There is no reason for them to not take on this nomination,” Christie said later at the press conference.

“We’ve had Democrats throughout this state and around the country clamoring about Washington, D.C., and the idea that it would be absolutely unacceptable for the Republicans in the United States Senate to hold up the confirmation of a United States Supreme Court justice for 11 months. This seat has been open for six years. It’s no longer acceptable,” Christie said of the New Jersey court vacancy.

Christie suggested confirming his pick for the state Supreme Court could serve as an “example” for lawmakers in Washington.

At the press conference, Christie also refused to answer questions about his recent endorsement of Trump.