Clinton: Americans should put Court nomination at forefront
MADISON, Wis. – Hillary Clinton wants voters to consider what Republican front-runner Donald Trump might do to shape the Supreme Court.
Clinton planned to use in a speech in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday to argue that Trump could roll back the rights of individuals, further empower corporations and undo some of the nation’s progress.
Clinton was campaigning in Wisconsin ahead of the state’s April 5 primary and speaking Monday at the University of Wisconsin about President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland.
Clinton holds a large lead among delegates against Democratic rival Bernie Sanders but is trying to stamp out the Vermont senator’s momentum following his victories in five of the last six states holding contests. Sanders was also campaigning in the state this week and has identified upcoming contests in Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania as states where he could cut into Clinton’s delegate lead.
Clinton’s campaign said ahead of the speech that the Democratic presidential candidate would call on Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley of Iowa to commit to giving Garland a hearing. Grassley and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have said that the late Justice Antonin Scalia should not be replaced until the next president picks a nominee.
Clinton has said Senate Republicans have no credible reason not to allow Garland’s nomination to proceed and receive a vote.
In her speech, Clinton also intends to rebuke Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who is among the Republicans blocking the Garland nomination. Johnson is among the most vulnerable Senate Republicans facing re-election later this year.
Clinton often notes that the next president will likely make additional nominations to the Supreme Court during the next four years. In the speech, she will say that Americans should be concerned about the kind of nominee that a President Trump might put forward and voters should put the Supreme Court at the front of their minds in 2016.
Republicans lashed out at Clinton ahead of her scheduled remarks, Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa saying Monday that Clinton was trying to divert attention from her “email troubles.”
“This is simply a blatant attempt by Secretary Clinton to politicize the Supreme Court and to change the conversation,” Grassley said in a statement. “Her actions as Secretary of State are under investigation by Congress, two Obama-appointed inspectors general, and the FBI.”