Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday that “a new president” should fill the Supreme Court seat vacant upon the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Schumer suggested that Americans of all political stripes agree with Ginsburg’s reported last wish that her seat not be filled immediately.
“She was an amazing woman,” Schumer told supporters at New York’s James Madison High School where Ginsburg attended classes as a young woman.
“So the first reason we’re here is for unity and the second is to honor her legacy. To demand that her last wish be fulfilled by the Senate. She said, ‘my most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced by — until a new president is installed.’”
Schumer said, “We believe that,” and suggested a majority of Americans do as well, citing a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating that 62% of respondents agree with Ginsburg, as The Daily Caller reported.
“So that means, that’s such a high number, it means that Democrats, Republicans and Independents all agree that it is only right and it is only fair for us to abide by RBG’s last wish, that she be replaced when a new president is installed.”
Ocasio-Cortez urged Democrats to use “every tool at our disposal” to stop the Senate confirming anyone nominated by President Donald Trump, according to the New York Post.
“We need to make sure we mobilize on an unprecedented scale to ensure this vacancy is reserved for the next president,” she said.
“We must also commit to using every procedural tool available to us to ensure that we buy ourselves the time necessary,” said Ocasio-Cortez.
Trump indicated Saturday that he intends to nominate a replacement “without delay” and McConnell has promised to deliver a vote on that nomination.
Schumer also suggested that another Trump appointee to the Supreme Court would have dire ramifications for the nation.
“So many people’s rights are at stake in this election,” said Schumer, according to the Post. “If you care about all these rights, if you don’t want big, powerful, wealthy special interests to turn the clock back 100 years, please, our fervent plea, our fervent wish, is that you call your senator.”
