Mitch McConnell says with a straight face that 'it's imperative that the president's nominee be treated fairly'

Mitch McConnell.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/ABC News)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Wednesday that the Senate will "vote to confirm" the successor of outgoing Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy "this fall," adding that "it's imperative that the president's nominee be treated fairly."

The comments have sparked frustration from critics, who point out that McConnell blocked former President Barack Obama's nominee for months after the February 2016 death of Antonin Scalia. Obama's pick Merrick Garland was never granted a Senate confirmation hearing, and as a result, the selection ultimately went to President Trump, who nominated the conservative-leaning Justice Neil Gorsuch.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.