Democrat senator calls on Republicans to ‘live with the precedent they set’ on Supreme Court confirmations

Sen. Chris CoonsChristopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsBiden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for ‘Will on the Hill…or Won’t They?’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association – Pence lauds Harris as ‘experienced debater’; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-Del.) called on Senate Republicans on Sunday to “live with the precedent they set” and not rush a confirmation to the Supreme Court after Justice Ruth Bader GinsburgRuth Bader GinsburgJeff Flake: Republicans ‘should hold the same position’ on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant ‘Fill that seat’ at North Carolina rally Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE’s death.

Coons, an ally of Democratic presidential nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE, told “Fox News Sunday” that he plans to talk to GOP colleagues in the upper chamber this week to convince them to “respect tradition” and follow their 2016 precedent that a Supreme Court justice should not be confirmed during an election year. 

“I’m going to be working this weekend, this week to reach across the aisle and see if I can persuade some friends to respect tradition, to respect the precedent they set in 2016 and to let the voters decide,” he said. 

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE (R-Ky.) and the Senate Republicans in 2016 blocked a confirmation vote for President Obama’s nominee, Merrick GarlandMerrick Brian GarlandJeff Flake: Republicans ‘should hold the same position’ on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant ‘Fill that seat’ at North Carolina rally Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE, nine months ahead of the election. Garland was nominated after Justice Anton Scalia died in February 2016. 

The Delaware Democrat said on Sunday that there’s a “huge amount at stake,” adding that a wrong move could “further divide our country” and “dishonor Justice Ginsburg’s legacy.”

“The legitimacy of the court will be harmed by its further politicization, just 44 days before an election when the Republican majority just four years ago … insisted on keeping that seat open for nearly 10 months,” he said. 

“I think it further suggests to the American people that this is all about politics, not about principle,” he added. 

Coons also asserted that the election has started in at least half of the states as Americans vote early and by mail voting during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Supreme Court announced Ginsburg died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer Friday night.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans ‘should hold the same position’ on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant ‘Fill that seat’ at North Carolina rally MORE said he expects to nominate a woman to fill her vacancy on the court this week, and McConnell committed to giving a Trump nominee a vote on the Senate floor, despite blocking Garland’s confirmation in 2016.