The potential future Senate Majority Leaders, Senator John Thune of South Dakota and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, have made it clear that they are prepared to block any agenda put forth by a President Kamala Harris, especially when it comes to potential Supreme Court nominees.
In a recent interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Senator Thune stated that there is no abortion proposal that would receive the necessary sixty votes in the Senate. When asked about the possibility of confirming a Harris Supreme Court nominee, Thune responded that it would depend on the individual in question. Senator Cornyn echoed Thune’s sentiments, stating that he would not schedule a vote for what he described as a “wild-eyed radical nominee” that Harris might nominate.
Both Thune and Cornyn emphasized the importance of preserving the filibuster and expressed skepticism about the likelihood of an abortion ban receiving enough support in the Senate. They both indicated that they would evaluate any potential Harris Supreme Court nominee on a case-by-case basis.
However, the characterization of Harris as someone who would nominate radical candidates to the Supreme Court has been met with skepticism. Harris, a former prosecutor and Attorney General, has garnered endorsements from a wide range of former Republican officials and Trump administration officials, indicating that she is viewed as a moderate and reasonable candidate.
The refusal of Thune and Cornyn to commit to passing an abortion ban, as well as their reluctance to confirm a Harris Supreme Court nominee, highlights the ongoing partisan divide in the Senate. Republicans have a history of obstructing Democratic initiatives, including the denial of a vote on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland.
The stance taken by Thune and Cornyn on these issues reflects a broader trend within the Republican Party towards obstruction and polarization. As the country grapples with important issues like reproductive rights and the composition of the Supreme Court, the future direction of the Senate remains uncertain.
