By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Democrats control the U.S. Senate and plan to quickly move President Joe Biden’s upcoming nomination for a Supreme Court justice replacement. This is similar to what Republicans did for Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

U.S. lawmakers announced on Wednesday that Breyer (83) will step down when the current court term ends in June. Senate confirmations of federal judges are confirmed by the Senate which is narrowly controlled by Democrats.

The former President Donald Trump appointed Barrett to the Senate on September 26, 2020. This was just over a week after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death. Barrett was confirmed by the Senate on October 26, 2020. This confirmation came a week prior to Trump’s defeat in the Presidential election. Barrett’s nomination pushed the court’s conservative majority up to 6-3

Now, the Senate is split equally between 50 Democrats (including two independents) and 50 Republicans. With this composition, Kamala Harris (Democratic Vice President) can vote the tie-breaking votes on nominations and legislation.

Democrats will want to quickly move on whoever Biden chooses to replace Breyer. This is because, if one of the fifty members of their caucus becomes suddenly incapacitated for whatever reason, it could mean that they lack the votes needed to confirm the nominee.

The possibility exists that Republicans may regain control over the Senate during the Nov. 8 midterm election. In the event that this happens, Mitch McConnell, top Senate Republican has stated that he will likely stop Biden from being nominated to the Supreme Court.

Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Biden’s nomination to replace Breyer would receive an “immediate hearing”, and the nominee will be reviewed and approved by the chamber “with all deliberate speed.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, who takes over the confirmation process’s direction, has also pledged quick action.

President Biden can nominate someone with diversity, experience, and an equal approach to justice administration, given the Supreme Court vacancy. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin expressed his delight at the speedy passage of the nominee for the presidency through the Committee.