U.S. Senator Charles Grassley told a town hall meeting Tuesday in Marengo that President Obama should defer to the next President in appointing a Supreme Court Justice to replace Antonin Scalia.
“I’m pretty clear that this should carry over to the next election,” Grassley told the town hall meeting in Marengo’s public library.
Grassley, who chairs the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, has a key role in determining the Senate’s consideration of any nominee President Barack Obama would nominate to fill the vacancy left by Scalia’s death on February 13th.
“But, on the other hand,” Grassley told the standing room only Marengo meeting, “take it a step at the time, maybe the President will agree with us if he gets a chance to talk to us.”
“I’ll give him my judgment as to why he should wait,” Grassley told the standing room only crowd.
Grassley wasn’t specific on what he’ll do if President Obama submits a nominee for Senate confirmation. That nominee would first come before the Senate’s Judiciary Committee which would then make a recommendation to the full Senate.
“So he does his Constitutional duty of appointing,” Grassley told the standing room only audience, but whether we consent or don’t consent, we’re still following the Constitution,” Grassley said.
“I’m pretty clear,” said Grassley, “the this should carry over to the next election. Maybe the President will agree with us if he gets a chance to talk with us, I’ll him my judgment if he gets a chance to talk with us. I’ll give him my judgment as to why I think he should wait.”
But Senator Grassley refused to commit to holding hearings if President Obama submits a nominee for Senate confirmation.
“I’m saying, we’re going to take it a step at a time,” said Grassley.