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It was with great sadness that I learned of Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing last weekend. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Justice Scalia last year as a newly sworn in member of Congress. He was a great American – and a man of integrity and strong Christian faith. Throughout his career, Justice Scalia courageously defended the Constitution and America’s founding principles of limited government. His brilliant legal mind and strong conservative voice will be sorely missed. It’s with Justice Scalia’s legacy in mind that the Senate must reject any liberal judge put forth by Obama in his final few months. With so much at stake, it’s critical that the American people have a voice in this process by electing a President who they think will nominate the best candidate. The Supreme Court is not an extension of the White House – and the Senate should not rubber stamp the President’s nominees. In fact, this is exactly what then-Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and John Kerry claimed when they voted to support a Senate filibuster and deny President Bush’s nominee, Samuel Alito, an up-or-down vote. It's been over 80 years since there was a vacancy, nomination and confirmation of a new Supreme Court Justice in a presidential election year. That's why I believe the Senate must stand strong in ensuring Justice Scalia’s replacement waits until the American people have decided on a new President. Sincerely,
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