Florida Sen. Rick Scott said it would be “irresponsible” for the U.S. Senate to allow an “extended vacancy” on the Supreme Court so President Trump’s nominee to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should get a vote, despite the looming election.
Scott, a Republican, released his views in a tweet hours after Ginsburg died Friday night at age 87 of complications from pancreatic cancer.
In another tweet, Scott wrote, “Ann and I send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during this time. She was a trailblazer with a distinguished record of service to her country.”
Florida’s other Republican senator, Marco Rubio, did not reveal his position about holding a vote in a statement released at about the same time.
“Her time as a jurist was defined by her passionate commitment to justice and her first rate intellect,” Rubio wrote while conceding that he often disagreed with many of her liberal decisions on the court. “Her life story inspired millions of American women and girls to accept no limits to their dreams.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags to fly at half staff to honor Ginsburg.
On Saturday, the Washington Post reported that among Trump’s favorites to replace Ginsburg is Barbara Lagoa, a Cuban-American from Miami who served on the Florida Supreme Court for most of 2019 before being appointed by Trump to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. DeSantis appointed her to the state’s highest court after he was elected governor in 2018.
In 2016, as the Senate discussed whether to consider President Barack Obama nominee Merrick Garland for Supreme Court, Rubio said the court could function with just eight justices.
The Merrick nomination came in February, nine months before the election that year, and ultimately was not considered by the Senate.
Ginsburg died as early and mail-voting has already begun in some states for the election on Nov. 3 this year.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, announced Friday night that a Trump nominee would be voted on, despite blocking the Merrick nomination in 2016.
But in a letter, he urged other senators to “keep your powder dry” on the Ginsburg replacement issue, which is likely to become one of the most fiercely partisan battles ever fought in the Senate.
“The most difficult months in a generation are now upon us,” Rubio tweeted. “Pray that God protect(s) our country and provide(s) wisdom to our people.”
mskoneki@orlandosentinel.com
