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The Senate has a job to do, and so does the president. The death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia sets the constitutional process in motion for the president to nominate a new Supreme Court justice — and for the Senate to provide “advice and consent” on the nomination.

Urge your senators to have a nonpartisan review and deliberation over the next Supreme Court justice.

Since 1975, every Supreme Court nominee has been given a hearing and vote within 110 days of his or her nomination. With more than 300 days left before a new president takes office, there’s plenty of time for the nomination and confirmation process of the next Supreme Court Justice. Six Supreme Court justices have been confirmed during presidential election years.

The Senate should consider the president’s nominee to the Supreme Court and move promptly through the confirmation process.

Many critical issues will be considered by the Supreme Court in the coming year. Our country benefits in having a full court considering the constitutionality of laws that address climate change, immigration, and civil rights. At the same time, the Senate has important business to consider this year, such as legislation for sentencing reform that has bipartisan support. We expect that the confirmation process will not block other legislation from moving forward.

Diane Randall

Diane Randall

General Secretary Emeritus (2011-2021)

Diane Randall served as the General Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation from 2011-2021. She was the fourth General Secretary and first woman to hold the position.