Mitch McConnell on Supreme Court Nominations

Quotes by Senator Mitch McConnell on Confirming Supreme Court Nominations

THEN
NOW


2016
2018 - 2020

Mitch McConnell Supreme Court Nominations Then
Mitch McConnell Supreme Court Nominations Now


#MitchMcConnell 2/13/16: "This ❲Supreme Court❳ vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." » #McConnell 6/27/18: "We will…confirm Justice Kennedy’s successor this fall." Click To Tweet

Quotes by Senator Mitch McConnell on Confirming Supreme Court Nominations

THEN

2016

Mitch McConnell Supreme Court Nominations Then
“It is a president’s constitutional right to nominate a Supreme Court justice, and it is the Senate’s constitutional right to act as a check on a president and withhold its consent

“It seems clear President Obama made this nomination not, not with the intent of seeing the nominee confirmed, but in order to politicize it for purposes of the election. I believe the overwhelming view of the Republican Conference in the Senate is that this nomination should not be filled, this vacancy should not be filled by this lame duck president. The American people are perfectly capable of having their say on this issue, so let’s give them a voice. Let’s let the American people decide. The Senate will appropriately revisit the matter when it considers the qualifications of the nominee the next president nominates, whoever that might be.”
- Feb 13, 2016

The Hill, Feb 13, 2016
McConnell: Don't replace Scalia until after election

(retrieved 6/27/18)
“I can now confidently say the view shared by virtually everybody in my conference, is that the nomination should be made by the president the people elect in the election that’s underway right now. I believe the overwhelming view of the Republican Conference in the Senate is that this nomination should not be filled, this vacancy should not be filled by this lame duck president.”
- Feb 23, 2016

National Public Radio, Feb 23, 2016
Senate Republicans Agree To Block Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

(retrieved RetrievedDATE)
“A majority of the Senate has decided to fulfill its constitutional role of advice and consent by withholding support for the nomination during a presidential election year…

“A lifetime appointment that could dramatically impact individual freedoms and change the direction of the court for at least a generation is too important to get bogged down in politics. The American people shouldn’t be denied a voice.”
- March 16, 2016

National Public Radio, March 16, 2016
McConnell: Blocking Supreme Court Nomination 'About A Principle, Not A Person'

(retrieved 9/20/20)


#MitchMcConnell 2/13/16: "This ❲Supreme Court❳ vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." » #McConnell 5/29/19: "❲Should a Supreme Court seat open in 2020❳ Oh, we’d fill it." Click To Tweet

NOW

2018 - 2020

Mitch McConnell Supreme Court Nominations Now
“The Senate stands ready to fulfill its constitutional role by offering advice and consent on President Trump’s nominee to fill this vacancy. We will vote to confirm Justice Kennedy’s successor this fall.”
June 27, 2018 -
“[Should a Supreme Court seat open in 2020] Oh, we’d fill it.”
May 29, 2019 -
“If you’re asking me a hypothetical about whether this Republican Senate would confirm a member of the Supreme Court due to a vacancy created this year — yeah, we would fill it.”
Feb 13, 2020 -

Fox News (via Axios), Feb 13, 2020
McConnell says he would fill Supreme Court vacancy if it opened this year

(retrieved 2/15/20)
“President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.”


#MitchMcConnell 2/13/16: "This ❲Supreme Court❳ vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." » #McConnell 9/18/20: "Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate." Click To Tweet


“One of my proudest moments was when I looked at Barack Obama in the eye and I said, ‘Mr. President, you will not fill this Supreme Court vacancy.’”

Mitch McConnell, August 6, 20161Snopes, Feb 2, 2017
Did Mitch McConnell Say One of His Proudest Moments Was Telling Obama ‘You Will Not Fill This Supreme Court Vacancy’?
retrieved 6/27/18



“My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her last days, Sept 20202National Public Radio, Sept 18, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Champion Of Gender Equality, Dies At 87
retrieved 9/18/30