Susan Collins Mum on Supreme Court Nomination in Wake of Ginsburg Death [View all]

[TomCADem]

Source: NECN

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine on Friday called the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “one of the most prominent legal luminaries of our time.” But she didn’t address whether the nomination of her successor should happen now, or after the election.

Ginsburg died Friday at her home in Washington. She was 87. Her death opens the door for Republican President Donald Trump and the Senate to speed through a Supreme Court nomination. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to call for a vote on Trump’s nominee, even though he blocked then-President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nomination in 2016 in an election year.

Both independent Sen. Angus King and Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine say there should be no successor until after the election.

McConnell should “honor Justice Ginsburg’s life and legacy by abiding by her final wish that this vacancy not be filled until the election has been decided,” King said.

Read more: https://www.necn.com/news/local/susan-collins-mum-on-supreme-court-nomination-in-wake-of-ginsburg-death/2325271/

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Don't worry. Even as she once again falls in line behind Trump and votes to confirm an anti-abortion activist to replace Ginsburg like Amy Barrett, Susan Collins will express her deep concern.

Susan Collins Has Said October Too Late To Confirm New Supreme Court Justice

Sep. 19--U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told The New York Times earlier this month October was too late to fill an opening on the Supreme Court in comments published after the Friday death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Ginsburg, the second woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court, was known as a trailblazer for women's equality who often wrote fiery dissents on the male-dominated court. The liberal justice's death was expected to set off a firestorm as it gives the Republican-led Senate the opportunity to confirm another justice to give conservatives a 6-3 majority on the bench.

Collins' reported reticence to confirm a new nominee comes amid a nationally targeted reelection race that kicked off after her 2018 vote for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. She has trailed House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, in polls so far in 2020.

When Justice Antonin Scalia -- a conservative justice and close friend of Ginsburg -- died in February 2016, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, refused to hold confirmation hearings for President Barack Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, citing an election year. Collins was one of only a handful of Republicans open to voting on Garland.