By Brent Griffiths
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Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said on Saturday night that he wants to delay filling the vacancy left by Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.
Scalia, who was 79, passed away at a resort in West Texas on Saturday. Scalia was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan.
“The fact of the matter is that it’s been standard practice over the last 80 years to not confirm Supreme Court nominees during a presidential election year,” Grassley said in a prepared statement. “Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court justice.”
Grassley’s committee would be the venue for any confirmation hearings, and the 82-year-old would chair those proceedings. After earlier telling the Des Moines Register it was “too soon for prognostications” Grassley quickly echoed the position of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
McConnell ruled out replacing Scalia before President Obama had announced a nominee or even released a statement on the justice’s death.
In brief remarks to the nation, Obama honored Scalia’s life saying he “influenced a generation of judges, lawyers and students and profoundly shaped the legal landscape.”
But when it came to Republican’s hope to delay an appointment, Obama was firm that he would offer a nominee in due time and that there is “plenty of time” for the Senate to act.
“These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone,” Obama said from Rancho Mirage, California. “They are bigger than any one party. They are about democracy.”
Like many other conservatives, Grassley hailed Scalia’s influence and impact from the bench. The first Italian American Supreme Court justice, Scalia wrote a number of key opinions including one that ruled the Second Amendment protects the individual right to bear arms.
“Justice Scalia was an intellectual giant,” Grassley said. “His originalist interpretation of the Constitution set the standard for the court. He had an unwavering dedication to the founding document that has guided our country for nearly 230 years. His humor, devotion to the Constitution, and quick wit will be remembered for years to come. Barbara and I send our prayers to Justice Scalia’s family.”
In addition to Grassley, Iowa’s leaders have also shared their condolences for Scalia’s death.
On Sunday, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad announced flags will stay at half-staff Monday from sunrise to sunset — or the day of internment — to honor Scalia.
“Chris and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Justice Scalia. He was a brilliant constitutional scholar that adhered to the original intent that the founding fathers had for our U.S. Constitution,” Branstad said. “I appreciate his 30-year service to our nation’s highest court.”
Iowa’s congressional leaders also released statements on Scalia’s death:
“Justice Antonin Scalia was a passionate defender of our Constitution and one of the most influential legal minds of our time. His nearly thirty years of service on the Supreme Court were marked by a commitment to upholding the principles on which our country was founded,” Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said in a statement. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Justice Scalia and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Maureen, and their family.”
“Saddened on the passing of Antonin Scalia, strong defender of the Constitution & Bill of Rights. Believed in the right to govern ourselves,” Rep. Rod Blum, R-Iowa, said on Twitter.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of #Justice #Scalia. His legacy will live as long as American history itself. RIP,” Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said on Twitter.