GOP Senator Susan Collins tries to pump the brakes on swift confirmation of Biden’s Supreme Court pick
Senator Susan Collins could seek to delay the President, who is hoping to nominate Justice Stephen Breyer’s replacement in due course
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Republican Senator Susan Collins has said that there is “no need for any rush” when it comes to confirming President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee.
Following the retirement of liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, the president will be tasked with nominating a replacement in the coming weeks.
Reports indicate that Mr Biden will seek to make history by nominating the first ever Black woman to the Supreme Court. And yet, whoever is picked, Republicans are not likely to lend the president any votes in support of the nominee during an election year.
Ms Collins, a self-described moderate senator from Maine, attempted to push back on Mr Biden’s expected swift timetable to confirm his Supreme Court pick.
“This time there is no need for any rush. We can take our time, have hearings, go through the process, which is a very important one it is a lifetime appointment after all,” she told reporters.
“As you know, I felt that the timetable for the last nominee was too compressed,” Ms Collins added, referring to the confirmation of conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was nominated by former President Trump.
Senate Democrats do not need any Republican votes to confirm Mr Biden’s nominee, as the party has a 50-vote majority in the chamber, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.
President Biden has yet to put forward a nominee, although as the New York Times reports, he and his administration have been planning for this moment for over a year, with prior knowledge that Justice Breyer was contemplating retirement. An early short list candidate has emerged in Ketanji Brown Jackson. She currently serves on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments