Biden needs to announce he'll pack the court if they ram a replacement

[MatthewG.]

Biden needs to announce now (or tomorrow at latest) he’ll pack the Supreme Court if a replacement for RBG is picked before the elections.

[Claustrum]

1. I think Biden already said something along the line for this.

Something like "if they add a judge this year, he will look into expanding the court".

[MatthewG.]

3. Good.

Good. Now that it’s not theoretical he should repeat - and loud!

[DBCooper88]

2. Agree

We need to send a message

[gopiscrap]

27. welcome to DU

[Stallion]

4. Won't Work Because Republican Majority Will Find it Unconstitutional

[Statistical]

11. There is no constitutional question. The size of the supreme court is set by legislation.

Democrats would need to take the Senate and the Presidency but the Supreme Court can be expanded to any size set by legislation. 11 justices, 13 justices, 187 justices.

[Xipe Totec]

5. Doesn't matter. They don't need it, they'll wait until after the election

With RBG gone they have the majority.

They know that appointing somebody before then will only enrage Democratic voters and drive them to the polls.

They'll wait.

[Demsrule86]

9. So they do it after the election.

[Xipe Totec]

10. Exactly. nt

[Pobeka]

16. They do it *one day* after the election.

Then any election challenges can be brought to the full force kangeroo court.

[sprinkleeninow]

6. We shall see if they'll ram. Talk outta both sides of their mouths SOP.

No SC nom or push thru the year of a GE.

[Demsrule86]

7. No, he doesn't...

[mvd]

8. If they try and we can't prevent it, absolutely!

Expand the Court and make nominations.

[davekriss]

12. That absolutely has to happen

Pack the court!!

[Fiendish Thingy]

13. He doesn't need to say a thing- and should expand SCOTUS to 15 seats regardless. Nt

[Buckeyeblue]

14. Let's see how things go

I'd prefer that Biden not have to make such a pronouncement unless necessary.

It seems as if it would be difficult to get nominations announced, hearings held, and a final vote completed before the election.

It could be that a few senators shut this down.

[Liberty Belle]

15. Millions need to march on Wash. and nationally to oppose filling this before the new Pres is seated.

We need 24 hour vigils around the White House and Supreme Court, with prayers for someone who will protect vulnerable women as RBG always did. Fill every prime time news show with stories of people standing up for women's rights and against the hypocrisy of any GOP nomination until after after a new president is inaugurated.

Do Democrats have any way to filibuster or use any procedures to slow this down or block?

How many Senators have to get COVID and miss session to stop this from happening?

[GulfCoast66]

17. Worse thing he could do.

First, he does not have the power.

Even if we eliminate the filibuster, which I’m not sure we have the votes for even with a 51-49 majority, I’m still not sure we could get 50 votes. And it would have to happen early in the Senate session when they pass the rules.

[MatthewG.]

19. It would take a majority Dem Senate.

I agree, it would take a majority Democratic Senate, and some degree of real will.

Doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

[JI7]

18. This is fucking stupid

[MatthewG.]

20. You're wrong, and it isn't.

No, actually it isn’t.

It would take a Democratic Senate and some degree of political will, but stupid it’s not.

If you’re not willing to play hardballs once in a while, you’ll be smashed by those who are. Democrats should play more hardballs.

[Yavin4]

21. So what's your plan when McConnell pushes through Ted Cruz or Tom Cotton?

What are you going to do then?

[MatthewG.]

22. Er, I already explained this.

To repeat my OP :

Biden should announce if a pick is rammed through he will pack the court, that is, increase its size and put more Democrats on it.

If McConell pushes Cotton or Cruz through and Biden gets in with a majority Senate, he should increase the Court’s size and put more Democrats on it.

If Biden wins and doesn’t get a majority Senate, he should announce he will pack the Court in 2022 if he gets a Senate majority.

This should become standard Democratic Party line, and basically all our candidates should be saying they will do this when they can if they get a majority Senate.

[Yavin4]

24. I wasn't responding to you.n/t

[MatthewG.]

25. Gotcha. My mistake..

Gotcha. My mistake if I seemed condescending.

[KatyBR]

23. 4 REPUBLICAN SENATORS CAN BLOCK A NEW NOMINATION

It's not a shoe in that McConnell can get a nomination through. This is an election and there are many vulnerable republicans and 1- Romney who even voted to impeach Trump. That means back to standard 3 - Collins, Murkowski and ...? Grassley maybe.

[MatthewG.]

26. Well, if it's blocked...

Well, if a nomination gets blocked and Biden gets in, as per my OP he can say “No need to expand the court now, as the GOP played ball.”

[jcgoldie]

28. voting to impeach Trump is a lot easier hurdle for Romney than this...

He will face a lot of pressure from Mormons who already disliked Trump but will see this as their shot at Roe.