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Obama continues to press on Senate over Scalia’s seat

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama urged the US Senate to act after he nominates a suitable candidate to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.

Scalia, who was an influential conservative member on the court passed away on Saturday, leaving not only his legacy but also an empty seat at the Supreme Court. Obama called on the Senate to “rise above day-to-day politics” and consider his candidate to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, according to USA Today.

Photo: USA Today/MANDEL NGAN, AFP/Getty Images

The US Senate, which is majorly controlled by Republicans, said that until a new president takes over next year they would delay confirming any nomination to replace Scalia’s seat. As the president challenged Republicans in the Senate to rise above the “venom and rancor,” there were signs indicating that Republican resistance grows smaller each day.

The suggestion from Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley states he might consider Obama’s nominee for Scalia’s position. And it’s not too early for other members of the Senate who don’t share Obama’s politics to support the decision to nominate candidates for the Supreme Court Justice seat. The president said he understood the political risk of a nomination that could change the balance on the court.

President Obama acts within the limits of the Constitution as Republicans argue that delaying the nomination process until a new president is appointed. The Constitution sets clear guidelines for what happens next: the President nominates justices to the court, and the Senate is capable of confirming or rejecting the nominee. Still, President Obama vowed to announce his preferred candidate in due course, according to a BBC News publishing.

“I understand the stakes. I understand the pressure that Republican senators are undoubtedly under,” said President Barack Obama on Tuesday. “The court is now divided on many issues, and this will be a deciding vote.”

Supreme Court remembers Justice Antonin Scalia

On Sunday; details about a memorial and funeral for Justice Antonin Scalia began to surface, as its body was flown to Virginia where he lived with his wife Maureen McCarthy. Scalia’s death leaves the court balanced between Democratic judges and Republican judges, so the new replacement would decide on which direction is the court going. Although the results of the debate on whether the nomination for Scalia’s replacement is still unknown, Mr. Obama stated that his candidate will be suitable for the job as well as highly qualified.

Scalia’s body will lie in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court on Friday, as the recent tradition dictates. A private ceremony for close friends and family will commence at 9:30 am, said a New York Times news release. The last court member to lie in repose was former Chief Justice William H Rehnquist, who passed away in 2005.

Justice Antonin Scalia’s funeral will take place on Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, as he was a lifelong Roman Catholic. Many Washington’s officials are expected at the ceremony, given that Justice Scalia was a charismatic personality, probably including even President Obama.

The Supreme Court showed a sign of respect to former Justice Antonin Scalia as his place on the court was well as the doors to the courtroom were draped in black in his honor. This tradition, dating back to the late 19th century, is intended to remember his life and contribution to the US Supreme Court, as well as honoring Scalia’s grand legacy.

Source: The Washington Post

 

Categories: U.S.
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