Kaine Statement On Filling Justice Kennedy's Supreme Court Seat

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court:

“The Republican Senate leadership established a clear precedent when it refused to take up the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Merrick Garland:  Do not fill a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year. It is only fair that this precedent should also be applied to the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy only four months before the 2018 mid-term election.

“Let the American public speak in November about their desires for the direction of the Court and the country. We can then contemplate filling the vacancy.”

###