Majority Americans Want Supreme Court Vacancy Filled
A new poll out this week shows that most Americans think the Supreme Court should get a new justice sooner rather than later. The survey, conducted in the days leading up to February 8, found roughly six in ten respondents saying the vacancy left by recent departures needs to be filled without more delays from Congress.
That sentiment cuts across party lines in some unexpected ways. While Democrats were more likely to back swift action, a solid share of independents and even some Republicans expressed frustration with the ongoing standoff. They pointed to the court’s shrinking docket and the risk of tied votes on major cases as reasons to move forward.
The numbers come at a tense moment in Washington. President Obama had already signaled plans to send a nominee to the Senate, but Republican leaders had pushed back hard, arguing that voters should decide the next appointment after the election. The poll suggests the public is growing tired of that particular fight dragging on.
Critics of the blockade have noted how the empty seat affects everything from labor disputes to environmental regulations that the justices were set to review. Supporters of waiting, though, say the principle of letting the next president choose outweighs immediate concerns about court function.
Whatever the outcome, the findings make clear that voters are paying attention. With the election season heating up, the Supreme Court vacancy looks set to stay a live issue on the campaign trail.
