Cruz Calls For A ‘Referendum On The Supreme Court’ In 2016 Election

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a Faith and Family Presidential Forum at Bob Jones University, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said in an interview aired Sunday that there should be a “referendum on the Supreme Court” in the 2016 election.

Cruz made the comment after Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died at age 79. Cruz said that the Senate does “not remotely” have an obligation to consider President Barack Obama’s nomination for Scalia’s replacement and that the American people should decide.

“It has been 80 years since a Supreme Court vacancy was nominated and confirmed in an election year. There is a long tradition that you don’t do this in an election year,” Cruz told “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd. “And what this means, Chuck, is we ought to make the 2016 election a referendum on the Supreme Court. I cannot wait to stand on that debate stage with Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders and talk about what the Supreme Court will look like depending on who wins.”

Cruz told Todd the Senate’s duty is to “advise and consent” and “we’re advising that a lame-duck President in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court, that we’re going to have an election.”

President Obama said Saturday that he would move to nominate a new justice “in due time.”

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Notable Replies

  1. There is a long tradition that you don’t do this in an election year," Cruz told “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd.

    By this standard, there is also a long tradition of The Cubs winning the Pennant.

  2. Once again Cruz lies without blinking = sadistic lying bastard.

    Hey teddy Canadian - Reagan got Kennedy confirmed in his last year.

    The fact is the Senate has not blocked a nominee since 1880 in the US!

    Maybe Cruz is
    mixing up the US with Canada😜

  3. Cruz you do not have the authority to circumvent our Government. After all, you were not born here and it is very questionable whether or not you or qualified “Constitutionally” to run for POTUS. President Obama will fulfill his obligation and you of course can do what you always do, NOTHING!

  4. The Republicans in their arrogance yet again try to neuter the President of the United States. The SCOTUS has a opening and the President has the power and even the duty to appoint a new justice in order for the Court to do its job. Let’s now watch yet another months or year long tantrum by the looney right and see how it plays out. Scalia was appointed in Reagan’s last year I believe. What’s the difference here?

  5. We’ve had two referenda. One in 2008, one in 2012. President Obama won both times.

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