Democrats blast McConnell for saying Republicans would fill a 2020 Supreme Court vacancy

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Democrats are slamming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senator to try to reverse requirement that Pentagon remove Confederate names from bases No, ‘blue states’ do not bail out ‘red states’ MORE after the Kentucky Republican said Tuesday that Republicans would fill a Supreme Court seat in 2020 if one became open.

McConnell was asked by an attendee during a speech at the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce public policy luncheon in Kentucky what his position would be on filling a Supreme Court seat during 2020 if a justice died.

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“Oh, we’d fill it,” McConnell said to laughter from the audience.

Democrats quickly blasted the Senate majority leader after Tuesday’s comments.

McConnell sparked ire in 2016 when he refused to give a hearing or a vote to Merrick Garland, then-President Obama’s pick to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOvernight Health Care: US showing signs of retreat in battle against COVID-19 | Regeneron begins clinical trials of potential coronavirus antibody treatment | CMS warns nursing homes against seizing residents’ stimulus checks Schumer requests briefing with White House coronavirus task force as cases rise Schumer on Trump’s tweet about 75-year-old protester: He ‘should go back to hiding in the bunker’ MORE (D-N.Y.) called his Republican counterpart a “hypocrite” after the statement. 

“Seriously it’s no surprise.@SenateMajLdr McConnell lives for GOP judges because he knows the GOP agenda is so radical & unpopular they can only achieve it in courts,” he wrote. 

“Anyone who believes he’d ever allow confirmation of a Dem President’s nominee for SCOTUS is fooling themselves,” Schumer added.  

 

Democratic presidential hopeful Julián Castro also criticized the Republican leader, saying that if he were elected president, he would make an appointment when the Senate was in recess if his nominee was not considered. Recess appointments are eventually considered by the Senate. 

“We’ve known all along how hypocritical the @senatemajldr is. But his shamelessness at stealing a Supreme Court seat is appalling,” Castro wrote. 

“As President, I will work with the entire Senate to get my appointments confirmed, but won’t hesitate to make a recess appointment to the Court if the Senate refuses to consider my nominee,” he added. 

 

Rep. Hakeem JeffriesHakeem Sekou JeffriesHillicon Valley: Georgia officials launch investigation after election day chaos | Senate report finds Chinese telecom groups operated in US without proper oversight IBM terminates facial recognition technology business Democrats unveil sweeping legislation in response to protests of police brutality MORE (D-N.Y.), who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, accused Republicans of stealing a Supreme Court seat in 2016.  

 

The 2020 presidential election is seeing emphasis placed on the Supreme Court after President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE has been able to fill two seats on the high court since taking office.

Washington Gov. Jay InsleeJay Robert InsleeInslee calls on Trump to ‘stay out of Washington state’s business’ Seattle mayor responds to Trump: ‘Go back to your bunker’ Trump warns he will take back Seattle from ‘ugly Anarchists’ if local leaders don’t act MORE (D), who is also running for president in 2020, renewed his call to end the filibuster after McConnell’s comment. 

 

Another 2020 Democratic hopeful, Rep. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellNASCAR bans display of Confederate flag from events and properties Gloves come off as Democrats fight for House seat in California Grenell says intelligence community working to declassify Flynn-Kislyak transcripts MORE (Calif.), criticized McConnell, tweeting, “In Mitch McConnell’s version of ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,’ Mr. Smith is primaried and the boys never get their campsite,” referencing the 1939 film. 

 

The appointment of Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughGOP senators urge Trump to back off Murkowski threat Judd Gregg: A government in free fall The 7 most anticipated Supreme Court decisions MORE to the bench gave the court a firm conservative majority after the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was often the swing vote.

The composition of the Supreme Court has become increasingly discussed in recent weeks as a series of states passed laws restricting abortion rights. One, in Alabama, bans almost all abortions and could pose a direct legal challenge to the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

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