McConnell Rule on Supreme Court Nominees

With the sad passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we want to send a clear message to the U.S. Senate.

Just recently, Justice Ginsburg said, "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."

Let’s honor her wish! Tell your Senators to refrain from taking any action on a Supreme Court nomination until after the new President and Senate are sworn in January 2021.

Emphasize that “the McConnell rule” requires listening to the voters’ input as expressed in an imminent election before the Senate can begin consideration of any Supreme Court nominee.

A very brief history: when Justice Antonin Scalia died, the Republican Senate Majority vowed to block the confirmation process of anyone President Obama would nominate. They refused to hold hearings or consider confirmation of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Republicans kept the ninth seat vacant for nearly a year, asserting that it was improper to fill the vacancy so close to an election. GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell championed this tactic, now known as “the McConnell Rule.”

Later, Leader McConnell claimed that only presidential elections matter in these circumstances, and that only underscores the need to let the voters express their views in 2020 before taking any action.

We agree with the principle that says a Supreme Court confirmation should not occur in the midst of a presidential election campaign.

Insist on consistency. Demand that the Republicans uphold the McConnell Rule and let voters weigh in on the Supreme Court in the 2020 elections.

Tell your Senators that you demand they respect your wishes and wait until the next Senate is sworn in before holding hearings or taking any other action to fill any Supreme Court vacancy.