Speaking to reporters before leaving for Ohio on Monday afternoon, President Donald Trump said he preferred the Senate to hold a vote on his Supreme Court nominee before the November 3 presidential election. At the end of the week, he will announce his decision to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“I would definitely prefer to vote before the election because there is a lot of work to be done and I would definitely prefer to have it. And we have plenty of time for this. I mean, there’s a lot of time,” Trump said. “Let’s assume I announce it on Saturday, there is a lot of time left until the elections. That will be up to Mitch in the Senate. But I would certainly prefer to have a voice. I think this is a good signal. And it is solidarity and many other things. And I am simply fulfilling my constitutional duty. I have an obligation to do this. So I would prefer to see it before the elections.
“I prefer to vote before the election,” Trump said of the SCOTUS nomination before leaving WH for Ohio. “It’ll be up to Mitch and the Senate. pic.twitter.com/geuz2wIy9p
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 21, 2020
There are 43 days left until the elections. Previous Supreme Court justices, including Ginsburg, were confirmed on a shorter timeline.
During a speech on the Senate floor Monday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated that President Trump’s nominee would get a vote.
“The Senate has more than enough time to consider the nomination,” McConnell said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: We will vote on the president @realDonaldTrumpnomination on this floor pic.twitter.com/lw7Vfs2s0C
— Team Trump (Text VOTE to 88022) (@TeamTrump) September 21, 2020
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz explains how crucial it is to have a ninth justice on the court before Election Day.
“I don’t know… I think so,” says Sen. Ted Cruz @gstephanopoulos asked if the Senate GOP has the votes to confirm Trump’s SCOTUS nominee before the Nov. 3 election, he added that it’s “important” to fill the seat in the event of a disputed election. https://t.co/nMPrs9mfxN pic.twitter.com/i4zmkoiDUA
— ABC News (@ABC) September 21, 2020
