Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) doesn’t want the Senate to move forward with a nominee to replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia until “the American people have spoken” and A new president is elected.
{mosads}”We’re in the midst of a consequential presidential election year, and Americans deserve an opportunity to weigh in given the significant implications this nomination could have for the Supreme Court and our country for decades to come,” she said in a statement tweeted late Sunday.
“I believe the Senate should not move forward with the confirmation process until the American people have spoken by electing a new president.”
She also tweeted on Saturday that she is “deeply saddened” by the justice’s death.
“Our country has lost a staunch defender of our Constitution and a brilliant jurist.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Saturday that Scalia should not be replaced until after the presidential election.
“The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,” he said in a statement. “Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.”
But President Barack Obama has said he plans to nominate a new justice before his term ends.