WASHINGTON, D.C. — The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia over the weekend has begun a controversey as to who should replace him, and when.
U.S. Joe Manchin released a statement Monday saying it was the Senate’s obligation to vote on a nominee.
“I believe that the President should nominate and the Senate should follow its constitutional obligation and advise and consent on the nomination,” Manchin said. “We have a responsibility to the American people to fulfill our duties. I will evaluate any nominee before the Senate based on their qualifications and judicial philosophy. I would hope that political posturing in Washington does not prevent me from being able to cast my vote.”
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito disagreed, siding with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that President Obama shouldn’t pick a replacement as a lame duck.
“Senator Capito agrees with Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley that the next president should nominate Justice Scalia’s replacement,” a statement said. “With just a few months until the election and many important issues pending before the Court, West Virginians should have an opportunity to express their views and elect a new president who will select the Supreme Court Justice.”
Scalia, one of the most conservative and outspoken of the nine justices, died in Texas on Saturday of natural causes.