WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court seat vacancy following the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

“As the Senate considers the way forward following the death of Justice Ginsburg, I believe it is important to take into account a full view of history. The Senate has rarely confirmed Supreme Court nominees during years when both the Senate and presidency were controlled by different parties, as we saw in 2016.

“However, since 1796 during election years of unified government between the Senate and the president, there have been 17 successful Supreme Court confirmations. Accordingly, voting on President Trump’s nominee is what the people who elected him in 2016, along with an enhanced Senate majority in both 2016 and 2018, expect us to do. It is also what Democrat leaders have said they would do if they were in our position.

“As such, once President Trump makes a nomination, I look forward to engaging in the process and evaluating the nominee on the basis of their qualifications, temperament, understanding of the Constitution, and commitment to the rule of law.”

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Under circumstances like what we face currently, where the Senate and White House are led by the same party, both Republicans and Democrats have routinely chosen to confirm Supreme Court Justices in election years and during lame-duck sessions. To date, there have been 17 confirmations when the party of the president and Senate aligned.