Senator Grassley: No Justices Confirmed in Election Time for Over 80 Years

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Saturday that Supreme Court justices were not confirmed "as standard practice" during a presidential election year for more than 80 years.

"The fact of the matter is that it’s been standard practice over the last 80 years to not confirm Supreme Court nominees during a presidential election year," the Iowa Republican said after news of the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at age 79 in Texas.

"Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court Justice."

Grassley called Scalia 'an intellectual giant.

"His originalist interpretation of the Constitution set the standard for the court. He had an unwavering dedication to the founding document that has guided our country for nearly 230 years.

"His humor, devotion to the Constitution and quick wit will be remembered for years to come," Grassley said.

Eight justices have been confirmed by Congress during a presidential year, Fox News reports.

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