Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats are ready to fill any Supreme Court vacancy should one arise.
“Alongside these crucial legislative priorities, the Senate will continue to confirm more of President Biden’s highly qualified judicial nominees. … We will continue this critical work in the months to come,” Schumer said in a “Dear Colleague” letter released on Friday.
He added, “As always, Senate Democrats stand ready to expeditiously fill any potential vacancies on the Supreme Court should they arise.”
In his letter, Schumer also appears to be nudging Justice Breyer here: "As always, Senate Democrats stand ready to expeditiously fill any potential vacancies on the Supreme Court should they arise."
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) July 9, 2021
Schumer appeared to be referring to calls for Justice Stephen Breyer to retire.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was asked during a CNN interview in June if Breyer should retire, as IJR previously reported.
“You know, it’s something I think about, but I would probably lean towards yes,” she said, adding, “I would give more thought to it, but I’m inclined to say yes.”
Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) also called on Breyer to retire.
“There’s no question that Justice Breyer, for whom I have great respect, should retire at the end of this term,” Jones told Cheddar News. “My goodness, have we not learned our lesson?”
He continued, “I’m really excited about the opportunity for President Biden to appoint and for the Senate to confirm jurists on the Supreme Court who are not hostile to our democracy and will adjudicate cases that will protect and preserve voting rights and will respect the will of Congress, frankly.”
When asked if Biden wants to see a justice retire this year, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “It’s a decision for them to make as an individual, and he still would support whatever decision they make.”
The 82-year-old liberal justice has not given a public indication of what his plans are, as The Hill reports.