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Lindsey Graham and 3 others had stated they wouldn't fill SC vacancy before polls, Internet says 'call their offices'

After Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death will Lindsey Graham and other senators keep their word on not bringing in a Supreme Court nominee so close to the election?

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a cultural and feminist icon who passed away on September 18 after serving 27 years as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court announced her death underlining the cause as complications from metastatic cancer of the pancreas. She was 87.

According to NPR, just days before her death, as her strength declined, Ginsburg's granddaughter Clara Spera reiterated her desire to not be replaced until Elections 2020 conclude. "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed," Ginsburg said. Her death is a huge loss to the country and will lead to mammoth consequences for the court. The sudden news is also seen as an opportunity for Republicans to tighten their grip on the court with another appointment by President Trump.

However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement expressing condolences for Ginsburg and stated that they would consider Trump’s judicial nominees. “Americans reelected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda, particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary. Once again, we will keep our promise," McConnell said in a statement, as reported by NPR. "President Trump's nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate."

The report states McConnell has supervised an immense remaking of the federal judiciary, he has approved more than 200 federal judges nominated by Trump. But in 2016, McConnell had refused to consider President Barack Obama's nominee Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court after Justice Antonin Scalia died. At the time, McConnell’s justification was that the court vacancy should be decided by voters in the 2016 election.

NPR reports that some key members of the Senate had said before when asked in a hypothetical context, that they would not support the appointment of a new Supreme Court justice within the few weeks that remain before Election Day.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would preside over confirmation hearings, said in 2018 that he would oppose such proceedings if they took place in the final months of Trump's first term, as per NPR. However, he changed his statement this year and said he would support a new appointment because he considers the circumstances different. He is quoted in The Hill as saying, “Well, Merrick Garland was a different situation. You had the president of one party nominating, and you had the Senate in the hands of the other party. A situation where you've got them both would be different. I don't want to speculate, but I think appointing judges is a high priority for me in 2020.”

Sen. Susan Collins, told The New York Times earlier this month that she was opposed to a Supreme Court confirmation process in October, as per NPR. Even, as stated by NPR, Sen. Lisa Murkowski told Alaska Public Media, in a hypothetical scenario, she wouldn't lend her support in confirming a new justice until after the presidential election. Chuck Grassley, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee have said they opposed taking up any potential nomination before next year, as per NY Post.

Earlier, as reported, the Internet promised to resort to violence and "riots" if Trump attempted to replace the position. Twitter also started discussing that how the Senators who have agreed to oppose the decision of appointing a new person less than two months before the elections should be held accountable. One user wrote: “These senators publicly stated they would not vote to approve a SCOTUS replacement this close to the election. Call their offices and demand they keep their word:Chuck Grassley 202-224-3744, Lindsey Graham 202-224-5972, Lisa Murkowski 202-224-6665, Susan Collins 202-224-2523.”

Senator Bernie Sanders shared a 2018 clip of Graham saying he would not support new appointment in Trump’s final months of his first term. Sanders tweeted: “This is what Senator Lindsey Graham, the current Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said back in 2018. Let's see if he has an ounce of integrity left and will keep his word.” Another user wrote: “Per your request, Lindsey Graham, we're using your words against you. We hold you to your commitment. In the name of John McCain, as one of his constituents, I #DemandDecency. @LindseyGrahamSC must oppose any votes to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg before January 21st, 2021.” Another user tweeted, “Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham both said that a vacancy shouldn’t be filled during an election year. It’s just the hypocrisy I don’t agree with. Lindsey Graham even said if a vacancy occurred during the next presidency (trump’s presidency). Then let the next president fill it.” Another said, “The Senate is moving forward as we figured they would. Because They Are Non-Constitutional Hypocrites ! Call Lindsey Graham !”