McConnell: Republican will vote on any Supreme Court vacancy even if Democrats 'whine'
by John Gage
| September 03, 2019 11:51 AM
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republicans would "absolutely" vote on a Supreme Court vacancy if one occurred before the 2020 election, regardless of if Democrats whined about it.
"You have to go back to 1880 to find the last time, back to 1880s to find the last time a Senate of a different party from the president filled a Supreme Court vacancy created in the middle of a presidential election. That was entirely the precedent," the Kentucky Republican told reporters Tuesday on why he blocked hearings on Merrick Garland.
"There was nothing I did that was, would not have been done had the shoe been on the other foot," he added. "So look, they can whine about this all day long. But under the Constitution, there is co-responsibility for appointments."
In May, McConnell, 77, said the Senate would definitely fill a vacancy ahead of the 2020 election.
He also warned Democrats last week about any attempts of packing the Supreme Court in response to McConnell prioritizing the confirmation of judges over passing legislation.
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