Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s announcement that he will retire and Biden’s promises about his pick have created division among typically united Republican lawmakers.

Citizens who responded to an ABC/Ipsos poll swung 76% toward Biden considering “all possible nominees” rather than considering nominees who were Black women. When broken down by partisan lines, a little over half who identified as Democrats agreed with Biden considering “all possible nominees” while 95% of Republicans agreed.

Biden previously pledged to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court during his campaign. That sentiment has sent shock waves through the Republican Party, whose leaders are divided over the announcement.

Senators like Roger Wicker, R-Miss., claimed that the Black woman Biden nominates would be the beneficiary of “affirmative action discrimination,” while senators like Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stood by Biden’s decision, saying that he wants “the court and other institutions [to] look like America.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has supported Biden’s nomination of a Black woman to the Supreme Court, but has said that Biden’s handling of the situation has been “clumsy.” Other Republicans are calling Biden “a woke activist” as the court becomes increasingly politicized with each administration.

Democrats are trying to confirm the nominee before the midterm elections, when polls show they could lose control of both the House and Senate. The focus on nominating a Supreme Court justice also means that Biden’s Build Back Better bill could lose steam.

Republican members of the Senate are demanding concessions to allow the bill to pass. Biden has previously hinted that he would be willing to meet Republican demands and focus on the rest of the priorities in the bill later.

RELATED STORIES
Joe biden