Despite Donald Trump pressuring the Senate to confirm his Supreme Court nominee before the impending election, Senate Republican leaders continue to remain noncommittal. The GOP is carefully considering the risks of holding a pre-election confirmation.
Following their first leadership meeting after the passing of former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, GOP leaders said the party is noncommittal and hasn't reached a general agreement in terms of the timing for filling the vacancy. The 53-member GOP conference meets on Tuesday.
In interviews comprising over a dozen Republican senators on Monday, only a few supported the idea of instituting a nominee to replace Ginsburg before Election Day. Most Republican senators felt a pre-election confirmation would be difficult while a vote in the lame-duck session would give them some extra time.
"We know that some confirmations have occurred in a relatively short period of time,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said as he came out of the GOP leadership meeting. Cornyn, who is a close ally of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell noted the aforesaid confirmations probably took place during times of maximum cooperation, before adding that he isn't sure there will be maximum cooperation this time as well.
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) pointed out if the Senate confirmed Trump’s yet-to-be-announced nominee ahead of the impending election, it would be a new recent world record. Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Monday that a decision hasn't been made, but confirmed that GOP senators will discuss a path forward during an in-person meeting on Tuesday.
Much to the chagrin of McConnell and Republicans, confirming Ginsburg’s replacement in the lame-duck session or before the election comes with serious political risks, in addition to a risk of losing their majority in the Nov. election.
Voting ahead of the election could excite liberals, but voting after, if Trump loses, would be a historically controversial decision that could raise questions regarding the legitimacy for whoever is seated on the high court. McConnell still echoed his vow on Monday, confirming that the chamber will vote this year on Trump’s yet-to-be-named nominee, but didn't confirm the exact timing, POLITICO reported.
McConnell declared that they will keep their word, and will vote on this nomination on the floor. This comes as numerous conservatives and Trump allies continue pushing Senate GOP leaders to hold a confirmation vote ahead of Election Day, with Sen. Rick Scott insisting on doing it as soon as possible, and Sen. Richard Shelby claiming it should happen expeditiously.