Justice Antonin Scalia’s death will have major impact on abortion, union legislation

The flag covering the casket of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is adjusted by funeral home staff before the doors opened to the public in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court where the late Justice lies in repose in Washington February 19, 2016.

The President and first lady Michelle Obama were greeted by Chief Justice John Roberts, spoke with some Scalia family members and briefly stood in silence, heads bowed, in front of Scalia’s casket during an afternoon visit.

Late Justice Antonin Scalia, it turns out, once said who he wanted to replace him on the Supreme Court.

As the week wound down, Obama himself phoned leaders in the Senate – Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Harry Reid, along with the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sens.

Scalia’s casket is due to be carried up the white marble courthouse’s grand staircase by Supreme Court police officers.

This process will begin as Scalia’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

Two moderates Republicans, Susan Collins of ME and Mark Kirk of IL, have said it’s too soon after the death of the long-serving justice for a political debate over his replacement. “He lived to see an incredibly full and active life, but I knew, and he knew, that he was at a place in life where he could be taken from this world at any time – and that’s what happened last week”. They will not attend Saturday’s funeral for Scalia, instead deciding to be represented by Vice President Biden and his wife, Jill.

Because Supreme Court justices rarely die in office, this issue is uncommon at this level, but Nelson said it happens in lower courts and appointments can, in some cases, take years until there is any confirmation.

“I think the president should make a nomination as is his duty, and the Congress should vote on it as is their duty”, he said.

Students on a field trip from St. Mary’s High School, an Episcopal school in Raleigh, North Carolina, were among the crowd of about 200 on hand as Scalia’s casket arrived.

“If we want to reduce partisanship, we can start by honoring great public servants who we disagree with”, Rattner said. His death has set off an unprecedented political battle between the White House and the Republican-controlled Senate over how and when he should be replaced, with the court’s ideological balance at stake.

“I think we need somebody there now to do the job”, she said, “and let’s get on with it”.

Scalia was found dead at a Texas resort ranch Saturday, The Associated Press reported.