Schumer: Senate must not fill Ginsburg vacancy 'until we have a new president'

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Friday night that the Senate should not fill the vacancy left by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death "until we have a new president."

"The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president," he tweeted.

If President Donald Trump nominates someone to fill her seat, Republicans could attempt to move the nomination through the Senate. The GOP changed the rules under Trump so that a Supreme Court justice would only need to be confirmed with 51 votes, rather than a supermajority, which they needed to confirm Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

Reaction to Ginsburg's passing from both parties was overwhelming last night.

Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, tweeted that Ginsburg "paved the way for so many women, including me. There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG."

Other Senate Democrats said that they were shocked and devastated.

"Stunned, devastated, and crushed. Thank you, RBG, for a lifetime of service to building a better America. It’s impossible to express how much we will miss you," tweeted Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.

Republicans also expressed their condolences to Ginsburg and her family.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who is on Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees, tweeted, "Justice Ginsburg devoted her entire life to reading, interpreting, and understanding the law. To describe her as a gifted lawyer and jurist who had a profound influence on our country is an understatement. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family."

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said on Twitter that he sends his condolences to Ginsburg’s family and said, "She dedicated her life to public service, and now she is at peace."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's, D-Calif., has ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff due Ginsburg's death, one of her top aides, Drew Hammill, tweeted.

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