Senate Republicans are ready to push forward the nomination of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s successor on the Supreme Court after the longtime justice announced his retirement Wednesday afternoon.
Kennedy’s announcement came suddenly after the court adjourned until the fall, leaving Republicans shocked and salivating at the prospect of filling his seat.
“Am I keeping my composure?” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters. “Wow … Obviously, that’s very significant. It’s a big surprise. My sense is we’re going to be very busy, after the president nominates somebody, confirming his successor.”
Republicans are expecting to move fast to confirm his replacement, assuming the individual mirrors Justice Neil Gorsuch, who just completed his first year on the bench. They hope to hold hearings in the early fall, with the goal of seating the individual by the time the court reconvenes in October and ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said soon after the announcement that the Senate is expected to vote on the nomination in the fall. Other Senate Republicans echoed that call.
“I think he’ll make it a priority,” said Cornyn.
“[It’s] very much a priority,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, adding that he believes the Senate can get the confirmation done by the elections. “It’s going to be a big battle. … I hope it will be [done by the elections]. We have plenty of time, so I hope it will. A lot depends on who they pick.”
Senate Republicans, however, were hesitant to say who they want the president to nominate to the impending vacancy. Hatch told reporters that he has “a lot of ideas” but declined to share them. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also said that he is in the midst of conversations with the White House about the replacement choice.
Trump is expected to nominate someone from a list of 25 prospects that has been updated multiple times since his election in 2016. The president said that Kennedy met with him at the White House to alert him of the decision and to discuss a possible replacement.
