Sen. Mitt Romney’s (R-Utah) announcement on Tuesday that he will consider confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee this year sparked fervent responses from both liberals and conservatives on social media.
Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, was seen as crucial in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) plan to vote on the president’s nominee to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat. The president has said his team is vetting a shortlist of five women and wants his nominee confirmed before Election Day. He is expected to announce his nominee on Saturday.
Romney’s decision essentially gives McConnell the necessary support to move a Supreme Court nominee this year. The announcement from the Utah senator, who was the only Republican to vote for an article of impeachment against the president during his Senate trial in January, sparked anger from the left and praise from the right.
BREAKING: Romney bad again
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) <ahref=”https: twitter.com=”” guypbenson=”” status=”” 1308404147713175553?ref_src=”twsrc%5Etfw””>September 22, 2020
In a statement released on social media, Romney cited the Constitution as a key component to his decision.
“The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees. Accordingly, I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the President’s nominee. If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications,” Romney wrote.