Lisa Murkowski becomes the second Republican senator to say she opposes taking up a Supreme Court nomination prior to Election Day
"For weeks, I have stated that I would not support taking up a potential Supreme Court vacancy this close to the election. Sadly, what was then a hypothetical is now our reality, but my position has not changed," the Alaska Republican said in a statement. "I did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Justice Scalia.
Senate Republicans, who hold the majority in the chamber, only need 51 votes to confirm a new justice once one is formally nominated. Currently, there are 53 GOP senators -- meaning they can only lose three Republicans before Vice President Mike Pence could cast a tie-breaking vote. Should two more Republican senators also say they oppose movement on Trump's forthcoming nominee, Democrats will have enough support to punt the nomination to the lame-duck session.
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