Florida’s two Republicans in the U.S. Senate--Marco Rubio and Rick Scott–are supporting a quick confirmation of whoever President Donald Trump selects to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Despite opposing President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court which Senate Republicans helped block, arguing whoever was elected in the 2016 presidential election should fill the vacancy, Rubio said Trump should make a selection.
“In 2016, President Obama exercised his constitutional duty and nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, and the Senate exercised its constitutional obligation and decided not to consent,” Rubio said on Monday. “Now, President Trump should exercise his duty to name a nominee. And the Senate should once again exercise its constitutional obligation and decide whether or not to consent to his choice.
“I will review the record of President Trump’s nominee, and I will provide my consent if I find they are qualified and will respect the law as written,” Rubio continued. “If I conclude they do not meet this standard, as I did in 2016, I will withhold consent. And unlike President Obama in 2016, President Trump is on the ballot and can be rewarded or held accountable for his choice in November.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was far more concise in his take on the situation.
It would be irresponsible to allow an extended vacancy on the Supreme Court. I believe that President Trump’s nominee should get a vote in the U.S. Senate,” Scott said on Friday night.
With only two Senate Republicans calling for waiting until after the presidential election to begin the confirmation process, the GOP majority in the upper chamber looks solidly behind Trump. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said he would support a floor vote on Trump’s nominee. Trump is expected to announce his nominee on Saturday.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
