The late Justice Scalia's natural, yet sudden death, caused anxiety and mixed reactions in the U.S. Senate as they await for a rightful nominee to replace him in the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Justice Antonin Gregory Scalia was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since 1986 until his death in 2016 at age 79. He was simply found dead in his room, apparently due to natural causes, and no immediate evidence that would point to foul play, as stated in a My San Antonio report.
The finding of a replacement for the late Jusice is one of the trickier moves that President Barrack Obama will be making during his term. To be a Justice will be an honor of a lifetime; the lawmakers are worried that the president will not name a nominee that would be worthy of their vote to replace a legendary Justice.
The Republican-led Senate is arguing over judicial hypocricy, saying that an immediate reelection in 2016 would not be wise. The Atlantic stated in its report that, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's declaration stated that it should be the next U.S. president who appoints Scalia's replacement on the high court. McConnell's fellow Republicans and presidential candidates - Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz - had agreed that the appointment should be delayed until the election is over, as stated by Vice News.
On the other hand, Democrats want to give President Obama's nominee a chance at a fair hearing and a floor vote in the coming months.
Who could the nominees be? The Atlantic reported that the US Senate and the judges are taking their picks.
First rumored candidate is Sri Srinivasan, who had previously won Republican support with a 97-0 vote just three years ago.
It could be another federal appellate judge in D.C., Merrick Garland, who had also won the hearts of Republicans in the past.
There is a possibility for President Obama to nominate Judge Patricia Ann Millett, who sits on the D.C. Circuit Court, or Paul Watford from the Ninth Circuit - all conservatives who could be winning the votes of the Democratics. Democrats might also vote for fellow Democratic Senators Cory Booker from New Jersey or Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota.
The Atlantic added that these rumored candidates would want to be nominated, because that would mean they have to subject themselves to what amounts to a public colonoscopy with uncertain prospects of actually being confirmed to serve on the court.
