NBC’s Todd Confronts Durbin on SCOTUS Confirmation ‘Hypocrisy’

Illinois Democrat is angered when 'Meet The Press' host pressed him on the inconsistency of his position from 2016 to 2018

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) shifted blame for his conflicting views on swiftly confirming Supreme Court nominees under former President Barack Obama onto Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) during an interview Sunday on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

“In a few weeks, the Supreme Court will start its new term with eight justices; we need nine. Major legal questions are hanging in limbo because the court is deadlocked on four-four votes,” Durbin said in September 2016 following the death of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

But after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his impending retirement this year, Durbin and his Democratic Senate colleagues urged McConnell to delay the confirmation process for President Donald Trump’s nominee until after Democrats have the chance to win back the Senate during the November midterm elections.

When NBC host Chuck Todd played the clip for Durbin, he noted, “There’s been some talk among some of your colleagues for Democrats to push for a delay until after the election. Obviously you didn’t like that in 2016. Where are you on this?”

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