Murkowski Doubles Down on Opposition To Supreme Court Nomination Ahead of an Election

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is making it clear she does not approve of taking up a Supreme Court nomination ahead of the November presidential election.

“For weeks, I have stated that I would not support taking up a potential Supreme Court vacancy this close to the election. Sadly, what was then a hypothetical is now our reality, but my position has not changed,” Murkowski said in a statement.

She added, “I did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Justice Scalia. We are now even closer to the 2020 election – less than two months out – and I believe the same standard must apply.”

Murkowski is not the only key Republican senator to oppose filling the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat before the election.

In a statement released on Saturday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) stressed the seat should be filled by the next president.

“In order for the American people to have faith in their elected officials, we must act fairly and consistently- no matter which political party is in power. President Trump has the constitutional authority to make a nomination to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, and I would have no objection to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s beginning the process of reviewing his nominee’s credentials,” Collins said.

She continued, “Given the proximity of the presidential election, however, I do not believe that the Senate should vote on the nominee prior to the election. In fairness to the American people, who will either be re-electing the president or selecting a new one, the decision on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should be made by the President who is elected on November 3rd.”

The Supreme Court announced the death of Ginsburg on Friday.

Ginsburg’s wish before her death was that she “will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”