WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Republicans are uniting behind Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in insisting that President Barack Obama’s successor fill the Supreme Court vacancy after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
Democrats looking to reclaim the Senate majority immediately accused them of putting politics ahead of their constitutional responsibility.
Vulnerable GOP incumbents in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Ohio – all states that Obama won twice – echoed McConnell’s contention that the American people should have a say in November. That president would make a lifetime appointment to the court.
Democrats counter that Obama is president until Jan. 20, 2017, and has every right to select the next jurist.
Obama said he will nominate a replacement in due time.