Scalia’s death, vacancy on court raise 2016 stakes
Justice Antonin Scalia’s vacant spot on the high bench now becomes a supreme issue in the race for the White House.
The top Democratic candidates say President Obama should exercise his constitutional authority.
“It is outrageous that Republicans on the campaign trail and in the Senate, have already pledged any replacement that President Obama nominates,” Hillary Clinton said Saturday night in Denver.
“Apparently, my republican colleagues believe the Constitution does not allow a democratic president to bring forth a nominee to replace Justice Scalia. I strongly disagree with that,” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said.
“This should be a decision of the people.” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said.
“I would send somebody, but the divisions are real, so let’s wait until after the election, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said.
“It’s called delay, delay, delay,” Donald Trump said.
The court now has four conservatives and four liberals.
A controversial immigration case on the docket right now deals with the legal status of millions of undocumented parents of children born in the United States.
A lower court’s ruling halted the president’s call for legalization.
Stephanie Izaguirre, an immigration rights lawyer in Colorado Springs fears a tie.
“If there is a 4-4 split, I think the issue of DAPA, or Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, is dead at least until after the election,” Izaguirre said.
“The Supreme Court is going to play a major role in this election and it could even play a major role in the nomination contest,” Dunn said.
Scalia was best friends on the court with liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In a statement, Ginsburg said: “It was my great good fortune to have known him as working colleague and treasured friend.”
