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Second Republican senator says they will not support Supreme Court vote before election

 (Independent)
(Independent)

Senator Lisa Murkowski on Sunday said she opposes voting on Donald Trump’s pick to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, becoming the second Republican senator to do so – meaning Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s margin for error is shrinking.

The Alaska Republican has long said she would prefer waiting until after the 3 November election to decide how to fill any Supreme Court vacancy, and on Sunday she announced just that, saying she wants to let voters have a say about who will be president come January and which party will control the in-play Senate.

“For weeks, I have stated that I would not support taking up a potential Supreme Court vacancy this close to the election. Sadly, what was then a hypothetical is now our reality, but my position has not changed," Ms Murkowski said.

“I did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Justice Scalia,” she said in a statement, "We are now even closer to the 2020 election -- less than two months out -- and I believe the same standard must apply."

She joins Maine Republican Susan Collins in announcing they prefer having the election then a confirmation fight.