South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said the decision to use the so-called “nuclear option” to confirm presidential nominees with a bare majority of Senate votes likely means President Obama won’t get to choose who replaces Justice Antonin Scalia.
Scalia died Saturday at the age of 79. Speculation about who would replace him, and how it would happen, began almost immediately. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., quickly said the Senate would wait to confirm any appointee until after the presidential election.
Graham, speaking on Fox News, said the decision by Minority Leader Harry Reid and Obama to allow confirmation of presidential nominees with a majority-rules vote instead of needing 60 votes is coming home to roost.
“I don’t want Elizabeth Warren picking the Democratic judges and, quite frankly, I don’t want Ted Cruz picking the Republican judges,” Graham said. “I want people to reach across the aisle and pick up votes on each side.”
Graham said the only way he would vote on putting anyone on the court while Obama is in office is if it’s a consensus choice. He mentioned Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, as a potential option.
“I will not confirm anyone on Obama’s watch unless it’s an overwhelming consensus choice,” he said.
“This is what happens when you abuse power.”
