Missouri Right to Life supports Sen. Blunt’s position to not vote on any U.S. Supreme Court nominee until after the Presidential election in November. We are very grateful to his strong support for pro-life efforts to restore the sanctity of life to all innocent and vulnerable people.
Please see Senator Blunt’s statement below.
“I want to thank Missouri Right to Life and National Right to Life for standing with me in opposition to the confirmation of President Obama’s nomination to the Supreme Court. On Wednesday this week, I made clear that I will not be meeting with the nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, because he shouldn’t be confirmed.
This is a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land. My view is that we are too close to a historic election to confirm this nomination, and the American people should have a say. So many of the issues you and I care about hang in the balance.
Just this year, the justices will consider two critical cases impacting the right to life and religious freedom: Zubik v. Burwell, on the Little Sisters of the Poor’s case against the HHS mandate, and Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole, on abortion clinic regulations in Texas, a case that could be one of the most important pro-life cases at the court since Planned Parenthood v. Casey. I was proud to join amicus briefs in support of both of these crucial cases.
Whether it be the right to life, religious freedom, or any other constitutional issue, the next Supreme Court nomination could be the deciding vote on these questions. In accordance with its duty to provide “advice and consent” to the President’s nomination, the Senate has decided that it will not take up the Garland nomination. The Constitution sets this process up as a 50-50 obligation, a two-part puzzle that has to come together before a confirmation happens.
The American people spoke when they elected a Republican-led Senate as a check-and-balance to the president, and they should have the opportunity to be heard again before a new justice is confirmed.”