Republicans pledge to take no action on Supreme Court justice nominees

“I don’t see the point of going through
the motions,” Rep. Graham said.

WASHINGTON – Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee say there will be no hearing for President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

Filing out of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office, the senators announced they had come to a “consensus.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Tuesday he would not meet with a nominee and added, there would be “no hearing, no vote.” 

Judiciary panel member John Cornyn (R-Texas) said they wouldn’t be inclined to meet with anyone Obama chooses.

“I don’t see the point of going through the motions,” Cornyn told reporters after Tuesday’s meeting. “We know what the outcome is going to be.

“We believe the American people need to decide who is going to make this appointment rather than a lame-duck president.” 

The problem some have with that notion is the American people did make that decision in 2012 when Obama won the election over Mitt Romney by nearly 5 million votes (popular vote) or 332-206 in electoral votes.

Here’s how John Oliver on Last Week Tonight puts the controversy:

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The Judiciary Committee traditionally reviews any nominee and holds confirmation hearings before voting and sending the nomination to the full Senate.

McConnell earlier said his party won’t permit a vote on any nominee submitted by Obama and instead will “revisit the matter” after the presidential election in November.