Following the news of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s death Saturday, Senate Majority Leader [crscore]Mitch McConnell[/crscore] released a statement expressing his condolences, and saying the vacancy on the high court will not be filled until a new president is elected.
“Today our country lost an unwavering champion of a timeless document that unites each of us as Americans. Justice Scalia’s fidelity to the Constitution was rivaled only by the love of his family: his wife Maureen his nine children, and his many grandchildren. Through the sheer force of his intellect and his legendary wit, this giant of American jurisprudence almost singlehandedly revived an approach to constitutional interpretation that prioritized the text and original meaning of the Constitution. Elaine and I send our deepest condolences to the entire Scalia family,” writes McConnell.
He continues to say that, “the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.” (RELATED: [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore] Reacts To Death Of Antonin Scalia: ‘One Of The Greatest Justices In History’)
Prominent liberals, such as Politico reporter Glenn Thrush, expressed dismay at Sen. McConnell’s statement.
McConnell statement says he won’t even consider Obama SCOTUS nominee!!!!!!!!!???????!!!!!!!!
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) February 13, 2016
There is however an unofficial rule in the Senate Judiciary Committee known as the “Thurmond Rule” which allows for the opposition party to block appointments in an election year.