President Obama said Saturday he would attempt to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, defying Senate Republicans who have said he should leave that responsibility to the next president in 2017.
"Obviously, today is a time to remember Justice Scalia's legacy. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time," he said. "There will be plenty of time for me to do so and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote."
Obama was informed of Scalia's death Saturday afternoon while golfing in Palm Springs, Calif. The president is in California for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit next week.
Addressing reporters just hours later, Obama said Scalia was a "larger than life presence on the bench, a brilliant legal mind with an energetic style, an incisive wit and colorful opinions."
"He will no doubt be remembered as one of the most consequential judges and thinkers to serve on the Supreme Court," Obama said. "Tonight we join his fellow justices in mourning this incredible man."
But no sooner had Obama reacted to Scalia's death than Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested the Senate would not consider any nominee Obama makes. “The American people? should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president," McConnell said.
No comments:
Post a Comment