Susan Collins Says Senate Should Wait to Vote on Supreme Court Nominee Until After Election
The Republican senator from Maine said Saturday that given the proximity of the presidential election, she does not believe that the Senate should vote on any nominee prior to the November election
Ginsburg died Friday at her home in Washington. She was 87. Her death opens the door for Republican President Donald Trump and the Senate to speed through a Supreme Court nomination. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to call for a vote on Trump’s nominee, even though he blocked then-President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nomination in 2016 in an election year.
Sen. Collins said Saturday she does not believe that the Senate should vote on any nominee prior to the election, according to a statement posted to her Twitter account just after 4 p.m.
"In order for the American people to have faith in their elected officials, we must act fairly and consistently--no matter which political party is in power," she said.
Collins, however, acknowledged that President Trump has the constitution authority to make a nomination to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, and did say she would not object to the Senate Judiciary Committee's beginning the process of reviewing his nominee's credentials.
But the Maine senator said the decision on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should be made by whoever is elected on Nov. 3.
"In fairness to the American people, who will either be re-electing the President or selecting a new one, the decision on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should be made by the President who is elected on November 3rd," she said.
Both independent Sen. Angus King and Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine also say there should be no successor until after the election.
McConnell should “honor Justice Ginsburg’s life and legacy by abiding by her final wish that this vacancy not be filled until the election has been decided,” King said.
“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant. A brilliant jurist, who spent her life making our country a fairer, more equitable place for all its citizens. Her unparalleled mind, her unbending backbone and her unfailing determination were formidable, making her not only one of the nation’s foremost legal minds but also a cultural icon who inspired countless young Americans to fight for their beliefs,” King said.
Ginsburg was a pioneer who championed women's rights and leaves a great legacy.
Collins said she got to know Ginsburg when women serving in the Senate had dinner several times with Ginsburg and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer for women’s rights, a fierce champion for equality and an extremely accomplished American who broke countless barriers in the field of law. Throughout her life, Justice Ginsburg surmounted discrimination and sexism through her brilliance, tenacity and wit, becoming one of the most prominent legal luminaries of our time,” Collins said.
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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden pay their respects to the late Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as her casket lies in state during a memorial service in her honor in the Statuary Hall of the Capitol, Sept. 25, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2020.
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The remains of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lie in state at the US Capitol in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2020.
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The remains of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lie in state at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 25, 2020.
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The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol before a memorial service in Washington, D.C., Sept. 25, 2020.
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The remains of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg arrive to lie in state at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., Sept. 25, 2020.
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pay respects as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the Supreme Court building on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Washington. Ginsburg, 87, died of cancer on Sept. 18.
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The flag-covered casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg rests under the Portico at the top of the front steps of the U.S. Supreme Court building, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington.
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A visitor pays respects to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Sept. 23, 2020. Ginsburg, whose 27-year tenure as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court culminated a legal career dedicated to advancing the rights of women, died at the age of 87 on September 18.
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The casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is carried at the U.S. Supreme Court where she will lie in repose, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
The flag-draped casket of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg arrives at the US Supreme Court in Washington, D.C, Sept. 23, 2020.
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Former law clerks of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg watch as her casket is carried up the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court where she will lie in repose, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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Former law clerks walk out and stand as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s casket arrives at the Supreme Court in Washington, Sept. 23, 2020.
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A mourner stands outside of the Supreme Court where Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is lying in repose, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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A mourner wears a crown honoring Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court where she is lying in repose, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Ginsburg, who was appointed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, served on the high court from 1993 until her death on Sept. 18, 2020.
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A crowd gathers at the Supreme Court Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington, D.C., after the Supreme Court announced that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of metastatic pancreatic cancer at age 87.
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Flowers and lit candles outside the Supreme Court Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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People light candles outside the Supreme Court Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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A man touches the door of the Supreme Court Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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The US flag flies at half-mast above the White House in Washington, DC, late on September 18, 2020 after the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
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People lay flowers outside the Supreme Court Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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A man spells RBG with candles as a crowd gathers at the U.S. Supreme Court to mourn the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.
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A crowd gathers at the U.S. Supreme Court to mourn the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.
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A crowd gathers at the U.S. Supreme Court to mourn the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.
Ambrose Vurnis, NBC Washington
The morning of Saturday, September 19, 2020 outside the Supreme Court following the news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing.
Collins, who’s seeking a fifth term, is being challenged by Democrat Sara Gideon, speaker of the Maine House.
“Throughout her life, Justice Ginsburg fought for women’s rights, reproductive rights, and a more just and fair society. Let us continue that fight in her memory and be inspired by her example for generations to come,” Gideon said.
Pingree called Ginsburg “a towering pioneer and progressive icon.”
“For nearly 30 years, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as a counterpoint on a Supreme Court long dominated by conservative jurists. She was always a reliable voice for the downtrodden and disenfranchised and that’s why her passing feels so devastating to so many Americans,” Pingree said.
