Democrats' best hope to stall Trump's next Supreme Court justice just collapsed

The importance of who sits on the Supreme Court has been clear in recent decisions. "There is going to be a tremendous amount of pressure on them to support a Trump nominee".

Once approved, Supreme Court justices can serve in the position for the rest of their lives.

Trump met with three red-state Democrats who are all facing tough re-election fights this year: Sens. If President Trump chooses another conservative, pro-life justice from his promised list, then that could bring about a major change in the court's decision-making when it comes to abortion access.

"We have to pick one that's there for 40 years, 45 years,"he told a rally in Fargo, North Dakota, hours after Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement".

Her confirmation vote in October was 55-43, but Josh Blackman, a professor at South Texas College of Law, said lacking widespread bipartisan support isn't a factor for the president to consider.

"I just think it's unconscionable for Congress not to speak on this, so a couple of weeks ago I let the chairman on the Judiciary Committee know that I would vote "No" on circuit court nominees until I was assured of some kind of vote coming up".

"Failing to keep all Senate Democrats united would be a colossal failure of leadership that helps Republicans make abortion illegal, destroy our civil rights, shred the social safety net, poison the planet, and undermine our democracy". While Senate Democrats are likely to oppose any Trump nominee, rejecting a female candidate in the midst of a midterm election campaign could complicate their work. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, Joe Donnelly, of IN, and Heidi Heitkamp, of North Dakota.

Clark said Collins "continues to believe that the president has the authority to put forth Supreme Court nominees, and that the Senate must fulfill its constitutional role by giving them consideration". Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, Susan Collins, of ME, and Chuck Grassley, of Iowa. "Our most basic rights are at stake, our civil rights are at stake, our identity as a country is at stake and I am hopeful that Senator Collins will chose this moment to stand up and be counted", she said.

A person familiar with the White House selection process said 53-year-old Kavanaugh is at or near the top of Trump's list of possible nominees.

"When Senator Collins evaluates judges, she always looks at their judicial temperament; qualifications; experience; and respect for precedent, the rule of law, and the Constitution", Collins spokeswoman Annie Clarke said via email.

"If they start talking about immigration and the president feels like Hardiman is not his man, I think that could rightly decide the matter on the spot", Mr. Howard said. In Missouri, McCaskill's Republican opponent made her Supreme Court stance a litmus test for the election.