Obama Plans To Nominate Successor To SCOTUS Justice Antonin Scalia
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CALIFORNIA (AP/CBSDFW.COM) — President Barack Obama says he plans to fulfill his constitutional responsibility and nominate a successor to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
Scalia was found dead on Saturday in West Texas.
In a direct rebuttal to Senate Republicans, Obama said in a statement Saturday evening there is plenty of time for the Senate to confirm his choice. Some Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, said the decision should rest with the next president in January 2017.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who is vying for the Republican presidential nomination, tweeted earlier Saturday saying the next president should be the one to nominate a successor.
Obama pointedly called the decision "bigger than any one party." He said it is about democracy.
Obama praised the late justice as a brilliant legal mind who influenced generations of lawyers and students.
Read CBS News' full coverage here.
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