House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), released a sober statement celebrating the life and conservative accomplishments of Justice Antonin Scalia, who has died.
As Republicans in the Senate preemptively jump to warn President Barack Obama against nominating Scalia’s replacement during his final year in office, Ryan’s statement remained non-partisan. The House plays no direct role in the constitutional process of selecting Scalia’s successor.
Read the full statement below:
“Justice Scalia did more to advance originalism and judicial restraint than anyone in our time, and it all started with just two words: ‘I dissent.’ The passing of this brilliant jurist is a great loss, but his writings—with their plain language and constitutional moorings—will guide generations to come. A devout Catholic, he was fond of quoting St. Paul, who commanded us to ‘think soberly.’ That Justice Scalia did, always, and our republic is better for it.
“I learned so much from this man. I knew him. I respected him. I looked up to him. We all did. Tonight, Janna and I offer our sympathy and prayers to Justice Scalia’s family.”
