YOU DECIDE: Supreme Court Appointments

The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month left a critical vacancy on the Supreme Court. With only weeks to go before the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump has nominated Justice Ginsburg’s replacement: Judge Amy Coney Barrett. While Barrett’s Senate confirmation hearings are taking place this week, Republicans and Democrats strongly disagree on whether President Trump should, in the final days before a presidential election, have nominated a candidate to  the Supreme Court that could affect the country for generations. Should the U.S. Senate approve his nomination?

Based on what you’ve heard and seen in the news–You Decide:

Should the United States Senate approve a nomination to the US Supreme Court just weeks before a presidential election?

NO

• Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. Such an important position should not be filled when the nation’s citizens are choosing the direction of government policy.
• Two Republican senators have joined with Senate Democrats in voicing their opposition to a judicial appointment so close to the presidential election.
• In 2016, Senate Republicans prevented President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to replace Justice Antonin Scalia eight months before an election. The same standard should apply this time.

YES

• Even though the election is only weeks away, President Trump has the power to nominate Supreme Court justices. The Senate should fulfil its obligation to consider the nominee.
• In 2016, the president was a Democrat, but the Senate was controlled by Republicans. In 2020, both the presidency and the Senate are controlled by Republicans. The people’s votes gave Republicans clear authority to make choices during their terms in office.
• It’s important to fill the Court vacancy as soon as possible, so that the Supreme Court is complete and fully able to review important legal issues.