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Mitch McConnell pledges Senate will vote on Ginsburg's supreme court replacement – live Mitch McConnell pledges Senate will vote on Ginsburg's supreme court replacement – live
(32 minutes later)
McConnell in 2016 argued it would be wrong to confirm a Democratic president’s nominee in the year before a electionMcConnell in 2016 argued it would be wrong to confirm a Democratic president’s nominee in the year before a election
Hillary Clinton has been on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show to discuss the impact of Ginsburg’s death, saying that her death was “a real threat to the steady march toward progress”.
Asked about the decision by the Republicans not to allow Barack Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, to be considered in the Senate in the last election year, 2016, she said:
She added that McConnell “only cared about power” and said Democrats had to make the most of Republican double standards on the issue.
Donald Trump ignored shouted questions about Ginsburg’s replacement as he returned to the White House from Minnesota just before midnight on Friday.Donald Trump ignored shouted questions about Ginsburg’s replacement as he returned to the White House from Minnesota just before midnight on Friday.
White House pool reporters said the US president looked at the media twice, “gave a couple of those waist-level waves but ignored questions about whether or when he would nominate a replacement for the late Justice Ginsburg”.White House pool reporters said the US president looked at the media twice, “gave a couple of those waist-level waves but ignored questions about whether or when he would nominate a replacement for the late Justice Ginsburg”.
Flags at the White House and Eisenhower Executive Office building had been lowered to half-staff.Flags at the White House and Eisenhower Executive Office building had been lowered to half-staff.
Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, confirmed in an earlier tweet that the flags were lowered out of respect for Justice Ginsburg, whom she called “a trailblazer for women”.Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, confirmed in an earlier tweet that the flags were lowered out of respect for Justice Ginsburg, whom she called “a trailblazer for women”.
Kamala Harris, the Democratic party’s vice-presidential candidate, has paid tribute to Ginsburg, calling on the nation to fight for the late justice’s legacy.Kamala Harris, the Democratic party’s vice-presidential candidate, has paid tribute to Ginsburg, calling on the nation to fight for the late justice’s legacy.
Harris, who could conceivably have a say in who succeeds Ginsburg if Trump does not get his nomination through, said “we mourn, we honor, and we pray” for Ginsburg and her family.Harris, who could conceivably have a say in who succeeds Ginsburg if Trump does not get his nomination through, said “we mourn, we honor, and we pray” for Ginsburg and her family.
With the stage set for an epic political battle over who will succeed Ginsburg, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell indicated that the vote will go ahead quickly.With the stage set for an epic political battle over who will succeed Ginsburg, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell indicated that the vote will go ahead quickly.
Although McConnell did not give any specific timing, he implied that Trump’s nominee for the vacant position would be put to the vote before the election in November.Although McConnell did not give any specific timing, he implied that Trump’s nominee for the vacant position would be put to the vote before the election in November.
Stand by to hear an awful lot about this process in the coming weeks. But in the meantime my colleague Lauren Gambino has the latest on the political battle ahead:Stand by to hear an awful lot about this process in the coming weeks. But in the meantime my colleague Lauren Gambino has the latest on the political battle ahead:
And just in case you’ve forgotten about the saga of Merrick Garland, Obama’s thwarted supreme court pick, here is a fateful piece from March 2016 about how it could influence that year’s election.And just in case you’ve forgotten about the saga of Merrick Garland, Obama’s thwarted supreme court pick, here is a fateful piece from March 2016 about how it could influence that year’s election.
Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein says the Senate should not consider a replacement for the Ginsburg until after inauguration day in January.Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein says the Senate should not consider a replacement for the Ginsburg until after inauguration day in January.
The veteran California lawmaker called Ginsburg a trailblazer for women, “a once-in-a-generation legal mind and a passionate champion for the rights of all Americans”.The veteran California lawmaker called Ginsburg a trailblazer for women, “a once-in-a-generation legal mind and a passionate champion for the rights of all Americans”.
Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, pointed to the precedent set by Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell when he refused to hold a confirmation hearing for president Barack Obama’s supreme court pick, Merrick Garland, during an election year.Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, pointed to the precedent set by Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell when he refused to hold a confirmation hearing for president Barack Obama’s supreme court pick, Merrick Garland, during an election year.
McConnell “made his position clear in 2016”, Feinstein said.McConnell “made his position clear in 2016”, Feinstein said.
Feinstein said:Feinstein said:
Hello, I’m Martin Farrer and I’ll continue to bring you more reaction to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.Hello, I’m Martin Farrer and I’ll continue to bring you more reaction to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
A suitable place to start feels like the front page of the New York Times, her hometown newwspaper:A suitable place to start feels like the front page of the New York Times, her hometown newwspaper:
The announcement that supreme court justice and progressive icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg died this evening has left many Americans shocked and grieving, and has launched an intense political battle within the US senate that could determine the basic rights of millions of Americans for decades to come.The announcement that supreme court justice and progressive icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg died this evening has left many Americans shocked and grieving, and has launched an intense political battle within the US senate that could determine the basic rights of millions of Americans for decades to come.
I’m handing over our live politics coverage to our colleagues in Australia, who will continue to cover the reaction to Ginsburg’s death. Here’s summary of some of the key developments of this evening so far:I’m handing over our live politics coverage to our colleagues in Australia, who will continue to cover the reaction to Ginsburg’s death. Here’s summary of some of the key developments of this evening so far:
Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the supreme court, died tonight in Washington, from complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was 87.Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the supreme court, died tonight in Washington, from complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was 87.
Trump will nominate a replacement for Ginsburg, and the Republican-controlled senate has the power to confirm that nominee to the supreme court.Trump will nominate a replacement for Ginsburg, and the Republican-controlled senate has the power to confirm that nominee to the supreme court.
But Republicans have only a slight voting majority, raising questions about whether they have the votes to push through a controversial nominee just weeks before a presidential election. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz suggested they should move fast. Potential Senate swing votes, like Susan Collins and Mitt Romney, will face immense pressure as Republicans count their potential votes.But Republicans have only a slight voting majority, raising questions about whether they have the votes to push through a controversial nominee just weeks before a presidential election. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz suggested they should move fast. Potential Senate swing votes, like Susan Collins and Mitt Romney, will face immense pressure as Republicans count their potential votes.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell released a statement saying that Trump’s nominee would get a vote in the Senate, but did not say exactly when. McConnell did make clear that he would ignore his own argument from 2016, when he suggested that confirming a president’s supreme court nominee months before a presidential election was inappropriate.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell released a statement saying that Trump’s nominee would get a vote in the Senate, but did not say exactly when. McConnell did make clear that he would ignore his own argument from 2016, when he suggested that confirming a president’s supreme court nominee months before a presidential election was inappropriate.
It’s very possible that Republicans may have enough votes to push through a nominee of their choice before Election Day. But there’s also the risk of electoral backlash from liberal voters if they do so. McConnell might decide it’s more strategic to try to push through a Republican justice after Nov. 3, but before a new president is sworn in, should Trump lose to Biden.It’s very possible that Republicans may have enough votes to push through a nominee of their choice before Election Day. But there’s also the risk of electoral backlash from liberal voters if they do so. McConnell might decide it’s more strategic to try to push through a Republican justice after Nov. 3, but before a new president is sworn in, should Trump lose to Biden.
What will happen if the supreme court is left to decide a crucial case about the outcome of the 2020 election with only eight justices, instead of nine (and with a 5-3 conservative majority) is also a pressing question.What will happen if the supreme court is left to decide a crucial case about the outcome of the 2020 election with only eight justices, instead of nine (and with a 5-3 conservative majority) is also a pressing question.
Ginsburg made her own position clear, telling her granddaughter this week: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”Ginsburg made her own position clear, telling her granddaughter this week: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”
Will Senate Republicans try to confirm a conservative supreme court justice immediately? Or will they wait until after the election, but before the inauguration, and try to push through a conservative just then?Will Senate Republicans try to confirm a conservative supreme court justice immediately? Or will they wait until after the election, but before the inauguration, and try to push through a conservative just then?
Here’s what we know about what options Republicans are considering tonight:Here’s what we know about what options Republicans are considering tonight:
Yes, Ginsburg’s death is a powerful opportunity for Trump, for Republicans, and for people who hope to make abortion illegal and advance other rightwing causes:Yes, Ginsburg’s death is a powerful opportunity for Trump, for Republicans, and for people who hope to make abortion illegal and advance other rightwing causes:
But the huge conservative victory of pushing through another Trump appointee could also backfire on election day, some Republicans are warning:But the huge conservative victory of pushing through another Trump appointee could also backfire on election day, some Republicans are warning:
McConnell’s statement tonight pledging that Trump’s nominee will get a vote doesn’t necessarily mean a vote before election day, though Senator Ted Cruz is pushing for that:McConnell’s statement tonight pledging that Trump’s nominee will get a vote doesn’t necessarily mean a vote before election day, though Senator Ted Cruz is pushing for that:
And then there’s the question: what happens if there’s some kind of election crisis the supreme court is asked to decide, and it only has eight justices?And then there’s the question: what happens if there’s some kind of election crisis the supreme court is asked to decide, and it only has eight justices?
‘A person who dies on Rosh Hashanah is a person of great righteousness’‘A person who dies on Rosh Hashanah is a person of great righteousness’
The political battle over replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg began barely an hour after the announcement of her death.The political battle over replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg began barely an hour after the announcement of her death.
The outcome of that battle will have profound, even life-or-death consequences, and affect hundreds of millions of Americans for decades.The outcome of that battle will have profound, even life-or-death consequences, and affect hundreds of millions of Americans for decades.
But many Americans are also mourning Ginsburg herself: the “notorious RBG,” Jewish feminist icon and inspiration.But many Americans are also mourning Ginsburg herself: the “notorious RBG,” Jewish feminist icon and inspiration.
NPR’s Nina Totenberg visited Ginsburg today before her death:NPR’s Nina Totenberg visited Ginsburg today before her death:
SCOTUSblog on Ginsburg as a fighter and feminist icon in the legal worldSCOTUSblog on Ginsburg as a fighter and feminist icon in the legal world
The note RGB’s husband left her when he diedThe note RGB’s husband left her when he died
The Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said that the Republican-controlled senate should wait until after the election to confirm Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s replacement on the supreme court, following the precedent Republicans set in 2016.The Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said that the Republican-controlled senate should wait until after the election to confirm Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s replacement on the supreme court, following the precedent Republicans set in 2016.
The Republican Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, has already announced that Republicans will do whatever they want and Trump’s nominee will get a swift vote.The Republican Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, has already announced that Republicans will do whatever they want and Trump’s nominee will get a swift vote.
‘She’s dead? Wow.’ Reporters inform Trump Ginsburg has died‘She’s dead? Wow.’ Reporters inform Trump Ginsburg has died
NBC News has the moment on video:NBC News has the moment on video:
Average number of days to confirm a supreme court justice: 69.6Average number of days to confirm a supreme court justice: 69.6
Days until the 2020 presidential election: 45.Days until the 2020 presidential election: 45.
Romney spokesperson denies claim that he won’t support a nominee nowRomney spokesperson denies claim that he won’t support a nominee now
The Utah senator is seen as a potential Republican swing vote, part of a small handful of Republicans who might prevent the confirmation of a Trump appointee until after the November election.The Utah senator is seen as a potential Republican swing vote, part of a small handful of Republicans who might prevent the confirmation of a Trump appointee until after the November election.
But his spokesperson just called a claim that he would not support a nominee until after inauguration day “grossly false”.But his spokesperson just called a claim that he would not support a nominee until after inauguration day “grossly false”.
Ted Cruz: confirm a conservative replacement for Ginsburg before election dayTed Cruz: confirm a conservative replacement for Ginsburg before election day
The Republican Senator Ted Cruz was added to Trump’s supreme court nominee short list earlier this month. Trump quipped at a campaign rally tonight that Trump would get an easy nomination to the court, with backing from even Senate Democrats, since they would all be so eager to get Cruz out of the Senate.The Republican Senator Ted Cruz was added to Trump’s supreme court nominee short list earlier this month. Trump quipped at a campaign rally tonight that Trump would get an easy nomination to the court, with backing from even Senate Democrats, since they would all be so eager to get Cruz out of the Senate.
The crowd of mourners in front of the supreme court is growingThe crowd of mourners in front of the supreme court is growing