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Antonin Scalia death: Obama pushes Senate over Scalia seat Antonin Scalia death: Obama pushes Senate over Scalia seat
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has urged the US Senate to act after he nominates a replacement on the Supreme Court for Justice Antonin Scalia.President Barack Obama has urged the US Senate to act after he nominates a replacement on the Supreme Court for Justice Antonin Scalia.
"I expect them to do their job", he said, and consider the candidate as required by the US Constitution."I expect them to do their job", he said, and consider the candidate as required by the US Constitution.
Scalia, a long-time conservative on the court, died on Saturday.Scalia, a long-time conservative on the court, died on Saturday.
Within hours leaders of the Republican-controlled Senate had said they would delay confirming any nomination until a new president is in power next year. Leaders of the Republican-controlled Senate have said they would delay confirming any nomination until a new president is in power next year.
Republicans argue it should be up to the electorate to pick a president who can nominate the right candidate for the job.Republicans argue it should be up to the electorate to pick a president who can nominate the right candidate for the job.
Scalia's death leaves the court finely balanced with four judges appointed by Democratic presidents and four by Republican ones, so the new appointment would leave the court liberal or conservative leaning.Scalia's death leaves the court finely balanced with four judges appointed by Democratic presidents and four by Republican ones, so the new appointment would leave the court liberal or conservative leaning.
Why is this a big deal?Why is this a big deal?
Scalia - in his own wordsScalia - in his own words
The Constitution is clear about what happens now, said Mr Obama, and now would be a good time to rise above Washington "rancour" and "venom". "The Constitution is clear about what is supposed to happen now, said Mr Obama, during a news conference at an economic summit in California for South-East Asian countries.
The president vowed to announce his preferred candidate "in due course". The president must nominate someone for the court and then it's up to the Senate to confirm or reject him or her, he said.
"This will best a test of whether or not norms, rules - basic fair play - can function at all in Washington these days," he said. "There's no unwritten law that says that it can only be done on off years. That's not in the constitutional text."
According to the constitution, the president nominates justices to the court and the Senate - currently controlled by the Republicans - uses its "advice and consent" powers to confirm or reject that person. The president vowed to announce his preferred candidate "in due course" and called on Washington to employ "basic fair play" to get it done.
In recent years, the court has made key rulings on gay marriage, abortion and Mr Obama's key healthcare legislation.In recent years, the court has made key rulings on gay marriage, abortion and Mr Obama's key healthcare legislation.
Possible Obama picksPossible Obama picks