“For weeks, I’ve said that I might not help taking over a possible Supreme Court docket emptiness this near the election. Sadly, what was then a hypothetical is now our actuality, however my place has not modified,” the Alaska Republican mentioned in an announcement.
“I didn’t help taking over a nomination eight months earlier than the 2016 election to fill the emptiness created by the passing of Justice Scalia. We at the moment are even nearer to the 2020 election — lower than two months out — and I imagine the identical normal should apply.”
Murkowski didn’t tackle whether or not she is going to oppose President Donald Trump’s nominee in a lame-duck session if Joe Biden wins the presidency.
Senate Republicans, who maintain the bulk within the chamber, solely want 51 votes to verify a brand new justice as soon as one is formally nominated. At present, there are 53 GOP senators — that means they’ll solely lose three Republicans earlier than Vice President Mike Pence may solid a tie-breaking vote.
Ought to two extra Republican senators additionally say they oppose motion on Trump’s forthcoming nominee, Democrats may have sufficient help to punt the nomination to the lame-duck session.
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