The Senate is expected to have a quiet debate over Breyer's replacement

Photo Credit: Photos by: Paul Morigi

The retirement of liberal Justice Stephen Breyer sets up a fight in the Senate that will almost certainly result in President Biden's nominee for his replacement being confirmed.

At same time, there will almost certainly be some drama along the way, with all eyes on Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who have stymied Biden and enraged fellow Senate Democrats by rejecting crucial aspects of the president's programme.

According to a source familiar with Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer's thinking, he intends to move as fast as possible to approve Breyer's successor, not wanting to leave anything to chance in a 50-50 Senate.

Manchin and Sinema have backed Biden's judicial choices and appear unlikely to block a Biden pick for the Supreme Court – a nomination that would not alter the balance of the court, which now has six conservative justices.

Democrats feel confident Manchin and Sinema will stick with the rest of their caucus and support Biden’s nominee, as long as that person is considered well qualified.

27 Jan 2022