Senator Mitt Romney from Utah announced he would vote for President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. Romney, who was a potential “no” vote, said he is voting based on constitutional law, not precedent. Following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the nomination process has taken center stage on Capitol Hill. This decision gives the Senate the votes they need to confirm whomever President Trump chooses
In a statement, the senator said, “My decision regarding a Supreme Court nomination is not the result of a subjective test of ‘fairness’ which, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is based on the immutable fairness of following the law, which in this case is the Constitution and precedent. The historical precedent of election year nominations is that the Senate generally does not confirm an opposing party’s nominee but does confirm a nominee of its own.”
Democrats are arguing that because Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to move forward Merrick Garland’s nomination because it was in an election year, the same should happen for 2020. McConnell, however, has said he situation is entirely different since Republicans held control of the Senate, and Democrats held control of the White House.
Romney continued, “The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees. Accordingly, I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the President’s nominee. If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications.”
President Trump plans to announce his nominee today after waiting a week to pay respect to the late Justice Ginsburg.
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