Hassan, Ayotte weigh in on Supreme Court nomination

On Saturday, February 13 Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died of natural causes. 

Scalia was one of the most conservative justices on the court.  President Obama will most likely nominate a more liberal replacement.  However, the Republican majority in the Senate could block a liberal nominee.

Given the importance of Scalia’s replacement, some policymakers argue that the President should delay nomination until after the 2016 elections.  Others argue that would leave the court empty too long.

New Hampshire’s Sen. Kelly Ayotte and her Democratic challenger, Gov. Maggie Hassan, have already shared their opinions on the nomination.

“We're in the midst of a consequential presidential election year, and Americans deserve an opportunity to weigh in given the significant implications this nomination could have for the Supreme Court and our country for decades to come,” Ayotte said on her website.  “I believe the Senate should not move forward with the confirmation process until the American people have spoken by electing a new president.”  

Hassan took the opposing view in a Facebook post.

“The Senate needs to put politics aside and fulfill its constitutional duty by taking up a Supreme Court nomination in a timely fashion,” said Hassan.  “It would be completely unacceptable, and a clear sign of Washington's dysfunction, for the Supreme Court to be without a justice for a full year because of partisan politics.” 

Do you think the President should nominate now, or wait a year?  Share your opinion in the comments.

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report and find out where New Hampshire stands on this issue.