Democrats also said it would allow their candidates to emphasize the threat to the Affordable Care Act posed by a reconfigured court, which previously upheld the law by one vote. Preserving the law was a winning issue for Democrats in 2018, and it is a major party campaign theme again this year.
Democrats have also hit Republicans for quickly pledging to confirm Mr. Trumps pick even without knowing the nominees identity, saying the reactions underscored their unquestioning loyalty to the president, which they argued would alienate many voters.
Republicans have been dragged down all cycle by their records of refusing to stand up to the president for whats right and voting to gut health care protections for pre-existing conditions, said Lauren Passalacqua, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The question of filling this vacancy shines an even brighter spotlight on these vulnerabilities.
Democratic contenders have all called on the Senate to delay any confirmation until after the next presidents inauguration Jan. 20.
When it comes to making a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, Washington shouldnt rush that process for political purposes, said Mark Kelly, the former astronaut challenging Ms. McSally in Arizona.
Ms. Collins, too, urged a pause until after the election, saying that whoever wins on Nov. 3 should nominate the next justice. Her position suggested that Ms. Collins, in the fight of her career for re-election, could find the confirmation fight to be a saving grace, using it to try to showcase independence from Mr. Trump and restore her moderate bona fides that were tarnished after she supported Justice Kavanaugh in 2018.read more
Supreme Court Fight Could Scramble Intense Battle for Senate
