Political figures who represent Texas released statements against President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to fill the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) vacancy.
Justice Antonin Scalia, who is often described as a stanch conservative, sat on the Supreme Court for thirty years. He was found dead of apparent natural causes in February.
Governor Greg Abbott (R), Senator John Cornyn (R), Congressman John Carter (R), and Representative Roger Williams (R), all released statements about the president’s nomination.
Each feels the next president should nominate Scalia’s replacement.
The office of the Governor Greg Abbott released the following statement:
"The U.S. Supreme Court and the United States is at a Constitutional tipping point. It is essential that the Supreme Court vacancy be filled with a true Constitutionalist in the form of Justice Scalia. Americans have grown concerned about the role of the Supreme Court in America today, and because this is one of the pivotal issues in the current presidential election, Americans should have the opportunity to vote for a president who will fill this vacancy."
An official statement sent by Cornyn’s press secretary reads:
“While the President has the constitutional authority to make a nomination to fill this vacancy, the Senate also has the authority and responsibility to determine how to move forward with it.
“The next justice could change the ideological makeup of the Court for a generation, and fundamentally reshape American society in the process.
“At this critical juncture in our nation's history, Texans and the American people deserve to have a say in the selection of the next lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.
“The only way to empower the American people and ensure they have a voice is for the next President to make the nomination to fill this vacancy.”
Carter’s deputy press secretary sent out this statement:
Please join me in sponsoring H. Res. 621 urging the Senate to reject any liberal Supreme Court nominations to replace Justice Scalia this year. The House needs to make its voice heard on this critical matter!
Our nation was shocked to learn of the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the longest-serving Supreme Court Justices and an unwavering defender of the U.S. Constitution. Justice Scalia was a giant on the Court, well known for his wit and strict interpretation of the Constitution. He leaves a void that will not easily be filled, and we especially cannot allow President Obama to fill that void with someone who shares his activist ideology.
The people have a chance to speak this November and -- like many of you -- I believe they will send a strong message of rejection to Barack Obama's liberal activism. It would be wrong to cement that activism on the bench over their objections.
Williams’ statement, sent by his communications director, follows:
“While Barack Obama, as president, has a right to nominate a Supreme Court justice, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to use their authority to deny confirmation hearings for Judge Garland, who does not live up to the standard set by Justice Scalia – the foremost defender of our nation’s founding document. I believe the American people, in choosing their next president in November, should have a greater role in determining who should fill the vacancy on our nation’s highest court.”
The next step in filling Scalia’s seat is for the nominee, Garland, to be confirmedby the United States Senate.
