ST. LOUIS (KMOX/AP) - The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday – less than seven weeks before the election – started a race for President Donald Trump to appoint a replacement for her seat on the Supreme Court of the United States. He's said he'll be moving fast, but some believe he should slow down.
In fact, almost exactly half of the people who voted in our Twitter poll believe he should wait until after the election. With the other half saying he doesn't have to.
Barrett, 48, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, was a strong contender for the seat that eventually went to Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. At the time, Trump told confidants he was “saving” Barrett for Ginsburg’s seat, reports the Associated Press.
Trump also appears to have support in the Senate for whoever he nominates – which he says will come on Friday or Saturday.
Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney said Tuesday he supports voting to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat on the Supreme Court, all but ensuring Trump has the backing needed to push the nomination over Democratic objections.
Romney issued a statement saying he would support moving forward.
"If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications,” Romney said.
Trump, meanwhile, said he would announce his choice to replace the late Ginsburg on Saturday, setting off a Senate battle with Democrats.
The Senate Judiciary chairman who will shepherd the nomination through the chamber said Republicans have the votes they need for confirmation — even hough no nominee has been announced.
“The nominee is going to be supported by every Republican in the Judiciary Committee,” Chairman Lindsey Graham told Fox News late Monday. “We’ve got the votes to confirm the justice on the floor of the Senate before the election and that’s what’s coming.”