Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, a conservative Republican ideologue, foolishly continues to push a litmus test for Supreme Court justices that would have ruled out Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito but not, on its own, requiring a vote against Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Indeed, Hawley’s stated standard would compel him to oppose almost every possible nominee on President Trump’s public list. The litmus test is entirely counterproductive. Hawley should abandon it.