Sen. Grassley reacts to Justice Breyer retirement

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley issued a news release Thursday after Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his plan to retire from the institution.

“I congratulate Justice Breyer on his long, distinguished service to our country. He is widely respected for good reason,” the news release said. “I’ve personally held him in high esteem throughout his service on the Court.”

Grassley, who has participated in the confirmation of every sitting Supreme Court Justice and is president pro tempore emeritus of the U.S. Senate, signaled hopes that President Joe Biden would pick a moderate to replace the outgoing Justice, who is generally considered among the Court’s left-leaning members.

“Justice Breyer’s successor should be an individual within the legal mainstream who can receive similar broad, bipartisan support,” Grassley said. “Such a candidate will preserve faith in the court, and reflect Americans’ will when they elected an evenly divided Senate.”

Biden has already announced that he intends to nominate a Black woman to the position, but who that will be is unannounced for now.

“I’ve made no decisions except one: The person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience, and integrity, and that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court.” the president said in a speech on Thursday. “It’s long overdue, in my view. I made that commitment during the campaign for President, and I will keep that commitment … not only with the Senate’s consent, but with its advice.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com