in addition to holding hearings on the nomination, the senate judiciary committee has a long-standing bipartisan tradition of sending to the full senate all pending nominees to the supreme court for a supreme court vacancy, even when the majority of the committee may not have supported that nominee. in this supreme court, if in fact this supreme court vacancy is held open until the next president makes the nomination, that will mean it is vacant for well over a year. not since the civil war -- not since the civil war has the senate taken longer it than a year to fill a supreme court vacancy. an extended period of time with only eight members of the supreme court sitting would delay or prevent justice from being served. there are american citizens across the country who need decisions from the court on various variety of issues. in fact, what we have done is we have elevated the circuit courts who have made the decisions that are currently pending, we have elevated the circuit courts to really the position of the supreme court of the united states. denying, denying access to those clai

the strengths of the judiciary committee in senate have been legendary. no majority/minority leader could tell a chair what to do with his committee. that was off-balance. but it doesn't appear so now. in abdicating his responsibility, the senate has always held republicans -- has always upheld -- never in the history of the cou, has the senate ever refused to do anything. republicans are setting a dangerous precedent for future nominations, not only for the supreme court but for the senate itself as an institution. yesterday the senate historian's office reported that the denial of committee hearings for a supreme court nominee is unprecedented. if that's unprecedented, how about the fact you won't even meet with the person who's been nominated? if that's -- if that is unprecedented, how about the fact that a member of the united states senate won't even go to the white house to talk to the president about something about filling the supreme court seat? the senior senator from iowa will be the first judiciary chairman ever to refuse to hold a hearing on a

the senate judiciary committee was created 200 years ago. according to the congressional research service, the committee's usual practice has been to report every nominee to the full senate, even those nominees opposed by a majority of the committee. this is a bipartisan tradition, one that makes sense, one that we should follow. when senator leahy was judiciary chairman, he and ranking member hatch did just that. nominations, even those opposed by a majority of the committee, went to the full senate. in 2001, the republican leader, senator lott, said -- and i quote here -- "no matter what the vote in committee on a supreme court nominee, it is precedent of the senate that the individual nominated is given a vote by the whole senate. were those senators any less principled? i don't think so. were those senators any less passionate in their views? no. but they did their job. they knew how important this was to the country. they honored the senate tradition and they made sure that the highest court in the land was not running on empty. how did

chairman biden said the senate judiciary committee should wait until after the political campaign season. . . number of negative votes in the senate. again, the same is true today. president obama's appointments of sonia sotomayor and elena kagan, for example, are both

jan: that's then-senate judiciary committee chairman joe biden, who in 1992 suggested he was just fine with blocking any election year nominees when president george h.w. bush was in the white house. >> president bush should consider following the practice of a majority of his predecessors and not name a nominee until after the november election is completed. jan: the current judiciary committee chair, republican chuck grassley, immediately agreed to what he called the biden rules. >> in his heart of hearts, he understands why this senate must do what he said it must do in 1992. jan: with president obama poised to move the court to a liberal majority, republicans are vowing to block any nominee. democrats, like senate minority leader harry reid, are questioning their motives. to delegitimize president obama. jan: but democrats like reid, even then-senator obama, have blocked or tried to block

senate committee will also consider the bill. >>> after a decade of being ignored, and anti- dissemination bill for the lgbt community will be heard tomorrow in tallahassee as well. some would argue the senate judiciary committee's consideration shows that republicans are changing their attitude on gay rights after years of fighting same-sex marriage. gay-rights activists are hoping the vote will send a message about florida's direction concerning gay rights. >>> this is the last week to hunt pythons in florida, folks. it is during the statewide to a end. hunters caught 90 of those guys since the challenge began in january. florida wildlife officials say that is 30 more than last year during the entire season. saturday is the last day for that hunt. >>> within the last hour, the biggest event of the year wrapping up.

a confirmation vote on the senate floor and if they deny a confirmation hearing in the senate, judiciary committee it is certainly likely there will be no nominee confirmed this year. that means it will drag on to the next presidency. it could take two or three

a bill expected to pass the senate judiciary committee would address racial profiling in law enforcement. the bill would standardize the collection of law enforcement racial data and provide further training for police officers. the senate judiciary committee approved the so-called 'ban the box' bill last night. the measure would remove the box on employment applications that asks if someone has a past criminal conviction or arrest. the des moines register reports 19 other states have already passed a law banning the box. hy vee is donating 11 semis full of bottled water in honor of iowa state basketball player monte morris who grew up in that area. flint has been dealing with a lead contaminated water since then city changed its water source in 20-14. we have boys high school hoops for you tonight on kcrg nine point two. the mustangs from dubuque hempstead will take on the trojans of iowa city west. tipoff is at 7:30. you can catch the full game on kcrg nine point two. now, one last look at this morning's weather, justin. the much-advertised warm-up is upon us. despite areas of clouds,

senators have been leading the charge on that effort, and i'd like to thank the chairman of the judiciary committeesenator grassley, and senator alexander for helping work -- for working actually together to have the bill reported out of judiciary and it came out of judiciary, mr. president, on a voice vote. in the coming days we'll be working 20 movworking to move tt bipartisan bill forward. it has gearned a great deal of support from both sides of the aisle because of its provisions to strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs, improve treatment programs and give law enforcement more of the tools it needs to address this awful epidemic. with bipartisan support we can pass legislation like cara and the others i have a discussed today in order to promote healthier families and a healthier country. in the meantime, we took a step forward yesterday by confirming dr. robert califf. in a recent meeting with dr. califf, i discussed my concerns about the need for more action by the f.d.a. i was encouraged by dr. califf's recognition that the opioid epidemic is a serious problem and the f.d.a. must

senate. question: in your committee?" "i will take it a step at a time. the president hasn't nominated anybody yet." if he does, grassley's washington power's on display. he chairs the powerful senate judiciary committee... and that committee's the first step in hearings for a supreme court nominee. as chair, it's grassley's call whether to hold those hearings... but he doesn't think the lame duck president should put him in that position. s/ "i think i'm pretty clear that this should carry over to the next think take it a step at a time." to know that next step now. reporter off camera: "you're not ready at this point to say it doesn't matter who the name is, we're not holding back?" s/ sen. chuck grassley/ (r) iowa "i'm not holding i'm taking it one step at a time. i'm saying we're taking it one step at a time." >> after our little taste of spring on friday, the mild weather has not let up too terribly much. temperatures were just a little cooler for our saturday afternoon, but the lots of sunshine is still being felt making it feel quite nice outside. a front is expected to move through in the overnight hours tonight. not much moisture is associated with it, but with temperatures below fr

today, the members of the senate judiciary committee on the republican side uanimously agreed. we wrote a letter to senator mcconnell saying there should not be a hearing in the judiciary committee for anyone that the president nominates. the reason for that is it's not about the personality but the principle. it's up to the american people in the next election no matter who they choose to make the and nomination for this important seat on the supreme court. justice scalia served for 30 years and extends beyond president obama's term of office. it's that important. as senator mcconnell said we have some precedent. we have three things. we have the biden rule, we have the reid dictum and the schumer precedent. which they tore up the rule book. there isn't any rule book the way they have rewritten the rules and this is the path forward. senator thune: the president signed into law legislation that forbid the closing of guantanamo bay and transporting of detainees there anywhere in the united states. that was something that was sent to him by both republicans and democrats. and wha

he invited the senate majority leader, the senate minority leader, the chair of the senate judiciary committee and the ranking member of the senate judiciary committee to come to the white house and sit in the oval office and have a conversation to continue consulting about the process about filling that vacancy it could be a short meeting. senator grassley plans to personally tell the president what he's already said in public... in a statement grassley says, "we look forward to reiterating to him directly that the american people will be heard and the next supreme court justice will be determined once the elections are complete." senator grassley wants to delay the hearing until a new president is sworn in. delays are nothing new for congress... and cedar rapids is a victim because of it. "we were i guess as a lot of people would say ground zero, the river is right across the street, we had 8 feet of water in here, closed us the devastation caused by the flood of 20-08 amounted to 6-billion dollars in cedar rapids alone... once the water went down.. the federal government promised to act...

he was chairman of the senate judiciary committee. he gave a long speech in which this is an exerpt. the senate judiciary committee should consider not scheduling confirmation hearings on the nomination until after the campaign season. it should be put off until after the election campaign is over. that's the biden benchmark. i read a statement from the vice afterent that he issued he saw this old news clip. this is not an accurate view, not an accurate description of my views on the subject. think the words are pretty clear. what he might've said is that these are no longer my views on the subject because he would like president obama to be able to make that nomination. i want to reject this myth. that many of our democratic thatagues are spreading what we're doing here and now is somehow unprecedented. what we're are doing is what the democrats top leadership has abdicated in the past. who do they think we are? that we are going to abide by a different set of rules? how ridiculous would that be. i could not explain that to my constit

elias: republican members of the senate judiciary committee have sent a letter to senate majority mitch mcconnell indicating they will withhold consent of a supreme court nomination, and will not hold hearings until a new president is sworn in. the committee has 20-members, with an republcian majority. iowa senator chuck grassley is the current chairman, with presidential candidate senator ted cruz also a member of the committee. the third thing you need to know before you walk out the door... sabrina: speaking of the next president...donal d trump has won a third state in a row in the road to the gop presidential nomination. the presidential hopeful claimed victory in nevada last night, reinforcing his frontrunner status. ted cruz and marco rubio once again tied for second behind the real- estate mogul. elias: number four... elias: with a jury finally seated, the trial of alexander fazzino began tuesday, as he faces first degree murder charges in the death of his wife, emily. each side began with opening statements state proseuction painting emily on the roadto recovery, saying the wee

the president's comments come a day after republicans on the senate judiciary committee wrote a letter vowing not to have any hearings on the president's choice to replace justice antonin scalia. " ( president obama ) "i recognize the politics are hard for them, because the easier thing to do is to give in party and stand pat and do nothing, but that's not our job. our job is to fulfill our constitutional duties."" jack: as chairman of the senate judiciary committee, iowa senator chuck grassley has been facing criticism over this decision to block any hearings. he says history shows president obama shouldn't even present a nominee. people in abraham lincoln's time didn't have to have that concern, that they didn't hold it, is because the president had enough respect for the american people to wait for their decision. abraham lincoln, in a like situation, didn't nominate anyone until after he jack: grassley will be meeting with president obama, early next week. grassley says he , quote, "welcomes the opportunity" to explain his position to wait for the next president, before the supreme

let's discuss it with democratic senator al franken, a member of the key committee, the senate judiciaryttee. senator franken, thanks for joining us. >> you bet. >> so the obama administration had floated the notion that they were vetting nevada republican governor, brian sandoval, to fill the supreme court seat left empty by the passing of antonin scalia. but he issued a statement saying he had notified the white house and senators, democrats and republicans, that he is with drawing his name from consideration. what do you make of this? >> you know, whoever the president submits in line with his constitutional obligation and duties, we will consider. and i'm on the judiciary committee, and that means having hearings, which is -- which we have had every time a nominee has been offered by the president since they first started having hearings in 1916, over 100 supreme court nominees have had hearings. nine didn't, but those were all confirmed within 11 days. so this is unprecedented, what they're talking about doing. and it's irresponsible. and i -- it's without precedent, and this is ver

patrick leahy / (d) former chairman - senate judiciary committee :12-:18) "this country has not gone with a year-long vacancy on the supreme court since the civil war." democrats are outraged by senate majority leader mitch mcconnell's declaration he won't consider a nomination until the next president takes office ... and the battle has spread from congress to the campaign trail. (sot hillary clinton / (d) presidential candidate :31- :39) "the senate has a duty to consider that and to decide whether or not to confirm whoever the president nomimites. (applause) (sot donald trump / (r) presidential candidate :40- :44) "i'm not saying that obama shouldn't do it. i'm just saying the republicans should not allow it to happen." republicans are vowing to make this election a referendum on how the next president will fill that open seat. (sot sen. marco rubio / (r) presidential candidate :51-:55) "we were reminded saturday evening by an untimely death of what the stakes are in this election." (sot sen. ted cruz / (r) presidential candidate :56- 1:00) "we are one justice away from losing our

chairman of the committee and iowa grassley is one of (senator chuck grassley) "i feel that this is position, and times that we need to wait until we get a new president." the senate judiciary committee has the first say in confirming a nominee from the president. so senator grasasey has a big say on future of empty supreme court seat. when asked if he would consider a nominee from the president he wasn't very decisive. (senator chuck grassley) "i said we'll take it a step at a time." he also said he's concerned keeping the court balanced. (senator chuck "i think we have that balance issue now pretty well defined and four conservatives and one moderate. " iowan and former public defenender jane kelly is on the shortlist for potential replacements.... grassley supported nomination to the u.s appelate court. he said the issue is idividual. (senator chuck grassley) feelings about miss. kelly but that's if i said anything just about her then we'd get back to the individual and this isn't about that individual this is about the process and it's about people voice in the process. " despite the opposition, president obama say he intends to do his job, which includes appointing sup

today, the senate judiciary committee unanimously approved a resolution declaring june 17th as "mother emanuel nine day" south carolinians to reflect on race relations on the one- year anniversary of the shooting in charleston that killed nine people. the resolution was approved by the house last month. major renovations in the works at the richland library in columbia. the renovations on the 3rd floor of the main library include more than just new furniture, bookshelves, and new rooms. this will be a revamped office dedicated to career appropriately called the new career, business and research center. these services are free and readily available to the public. "we are on the cutting edge -- and i like to say that the services we offer in the business, careers and research. which is our new name, is truly a flagship service that the library is able to provide for our customers and also makes that community connection possible." library officials hope to have the new career, business and research center open by the end of the month. we have all the details listed on this story on our w

he was chairman of the senate judiciary committee. he gave a long speech in which this is an excerpt. he said the senate judiciary over. consider not scheduling confirmation hearings on the nomination until after the political campaign season is over. action on the supreme court nomination must be put off untie the election campaign is over. that's the biden benchmark. the reid rule the schumer standard than the biden benchmark rate i read a statement from the vice president that he issued after he saw this ole miss clip and his statement has been made public. the he quite conveniently said this is not an accurate description of my views on the subject. is that t well, i think the words are pretty clear. i think we might have said is that these are no longer my views on the subject because of course you would like president obama to be able to make that nomination. so i want to reject this myth that many of our democratic colleagues are spreading that what we are doing here and now is somehow unprecedented. quite the contrary. what we

the senate judiciary committee has the first say in confirming a nominee from the president. so senator grassley has a big say on future of pty supreme court seat. when asked if he would consider a nominee from the president he wasn't very decisive. (senator chuck grassley) "i said we'll take it a step at a time." he also said he's concerned keeping the court balanced. (senator chuck "i think we have that balance issue now pretty well defined between 4 liberals and four conservatives and one moderate. " iowan and former public defenender jane kelly is on the shortlist for potential replacements.... even though grassley supported her in her nomination to the u.s appelate court. he said the issue is bigger than an idividual. (senator chuck grassley) ""i have good feelings about miss. kelly but that's if i said anything just about her then we'd get back to the individual and this isn't about that individual this is about the process and it's about people voice in the process. " despite the opposition, president obama say he intends to do his job, which includes appointing supreme

this position is shared by all of my republican colleagues on the senate judiciary committee, consistent with the senate's powers in the appointment of federal judges and supported by historical precedent. in response, some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and many in the media have resorted to all manner of counterarguments ranging from the historically and constitutionally inaccurate to the absurd. and in many cases the claims made by some of my colleagues today flatly contradict their own statements from the past. i believe the plain meaning of the constitution and the historical record are sufficiently clear to stand on their own as evidence that there is absolutely nothing unprecedented and absolutely nothing improper about the senate choosing to withhold its consent of a president's nominee to the supreme court. so i'd like to focus on one particular allegation offered by some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. with the letter and the spirit of the constitution as well as their own words standing against them, many have turned to fearmongering in a last

he's now chair of the senate judiciary committee, but grassley wants the president to wait for his successor to nominate candidates. we want to know what you think. should the u.s. senate consider president obama? results from our unscientific poll tonight. right now, 61% say yes. 39% say no. steve: in commitment 2016 news we are just 5 days away from the , south carolina republican primary. craig boswell is in north charleston tonight, where a jeb -- where jeb bush brought in some political star power to push his struggling campaign forward. craig: former president george w. bush rallied south carolina voters to back his younger brother jeb. mr. bush there's no doubt in my : mind that jeb bush has the experience and character to be a great president. counting on some brotherly love the bush family's good rapport with the people of south carolina goes back decades. south carolina voters helped propel george w. nomination and the presidency in his father, george h.w. bush, won the 1988 and 1992 south carolina primaries. earlier in the day, laura and george bush met with south carolina veteran

the senate judiciary committee was created 200 years ago. according to the congressional research service, the committee's usual practice has been to report every nominee to the full senate, even those nominees opposed by a majority of the committee. this is a bipartisan tradition, one that makes sense, one that we should follow. when senator leahy was judiciary chairman, he and ranking member hatch did just that. nominations, even those opposed by a majority of the committee, went to the full senate. in 2001, the republican leader, senator lott, said -- and i quote here -- "no matter what the vote in committee on a supreme court nominee, it is precedent of the senate that the individual nominated is given a vote by the whole senate. were those senators any less principled? i don't think so. were those senators any less passionate in their views? no. but they did their job. they knew how important this was to the country. they honored the senate tradition and they made sure that the highest court in the land was not running on empty. how did

for america the dowdupont merger announced late last year is taking some heat from the senate judiciary committee. chairman and iowa senator chuck grassley is raising alarms over the proposal to merge by companies dow and dupont pioneer. he's threatening possible hearings on the anti-trust implications of the move, saying the judiciary committee has an obligation to review the merger. the merge would create a $95 billion company, which would split into three separate companies. all selling as much as a fifth of the worlds pesticides and 40 percent of u.s. corn and bean seeds. grassley says that makes a huge concern because of a potential of reduced competition, force layoffs, and the history right here in iowa, "and they better take that into consideration. because they merge, split into three companies. make an agricultural seed company and then want to move all this out of iowa or even move the corporate headquarrout oiano. that stuff should be in iowa." grassley hinted he may be persuading committee members r a possible call for they're one of the wall street banks that triggered the financial

he was chairman of the senate judiciary committee. he gave a long speech in which this is an exerpt. the senate judiciary committee should consider not scheduling confirmation hearings on the nomination until after the campaign season. it should be put off until after the election campaign is over. that's the biden benchmark. i read a statement from the vice afterent that he issued he saw this old news clip. this is not an accurate view, not an accurate description of my views on the subject. think the words are pretty clear. what he might've said is that these are no longer my views on the subject because he would like president obama to be able to make that nomination. i want to reject this myth. that many of our democratic thatagues are spreading what we're doing here and now is somehow unprecedented. what we're are doing is what the democrats top leadership has abdicated in the past. who do they think we are? that we are going to abide by a different set of rules? how ridiculous would that be. i could not explain that to my constit

was there ever any time when senator biden was the chairman of the senate judiciary committee that he denied a hearing to a supreme court nominee? no. was there ever a time as chairman of the senate judiciary committee when he recommended to the senate that they deny a vote on a presidential nomination to fill a supreme court vacancy? no. so whatever his theory was expressed on the floor of the senate -- and we all expressed a lot of theories -- joe biden was respectful of this document. he knew what the united states constitution said. i find it hard to imagine that the republican senators now in the majority are going to walk away from this constitution, turn their backs on it. i have a lengthy statement which i will with consent include after my remarks here which goes into the question of why the republican majority continues to obstruct the appointment of judges and people who serve in the executive branch of the government of this president. it has been unprecedented. they decided not just on this nominee but long ago that they would not give this president the same treatment, t

the president's comments came the day after republicans on the senate judiciary committee wrote hearings on the president's choice. but the two sides have agreed to have a meeting next week. so iowa senator chuck grassley in the senate judiciary committee, he's the chair of the committee said he will be on that meeting and released a statement about it. quote on tuesday we will meet with the president the white house. we look forward to reiterating to him direly that the american people will be heard and the next supreme court justice will be determined once the elections are complete and the next president has been sworn into office. so dr. steffen schmidt sticking around. very quickly, who wins? >>dr. schmidt: well, nobody wins because it's a deadlock and basically this is going to sort of simmer, i t tnk, until after the elections. i frankly don't think this is gonna get resolved. >>sabrina: you don't think that there any way that president obama will pick the next >>dr. schmidt: he may choose someone and say i'd like this person. the senate isn't gonna hear it. >>sabrina: it's gonna

the first step is what will happen in the senate judiciary committee. chuck grassley is she chairman of the committee and he issued a statement that there should not be a nominee. they said they would not comment beyond his statement. mitch mcconnell said there shouldn't be a nominee but didn't say he would not hold a don confirmation vote. >> thank you so much. >>> during last night's debate, republican presidential candidates paused for a moment of silence to honor justice scalia. his death came hours before the debate and a talking point of the evening. the republicans squared off on who should replace scalia and when. >> we need to put people on the bench that understand the constitution is not a living, breathing document but interpreted as orlgally meant. >> the next president needs to appoint a lover of liberty and fight and fight for that nomination to make sure it passes. >> we ought to let the next president of the decide who will run the supreme court with a vote by the people of the united states of america. >> we are one justice away from t

during the last race that a republican, charles grassley, would become the chair of the senate judiciary committee and that's essential one of the most powerful now. you attended some of at least -- i think you were there for a story we did earlier this week and some other members of your organization who asked him about the nomination with justice scalia's death and will that be held up, do you believe, by charles grassley or others? you want to move this forward as quickly as possible and why is that? >> matt: i certainly hope not. i hope that senator grassley and consider whoever president obama nominates in a timely fashion. that's their constitutional responsibility. but a week ago, justice scalia passed away and there were, you know, offers of condolences as is very appropriate when a supreme court justice dies, and but unfortunately, less than 24 hours had gone by after the death of justice scalia, less than 24 hours had gone by before senator grassley put out a public statement stating that the president shouldn't nominate anyone and this should wait until after the presidential election.

for nominates. >> reporter: senator john cornyn and the 10 other republicans on the judiciary committee explained in a letter to senate majority leader mitch mcconnell that the decision was based on constitutional principle and born of a necessity to protect the will of the american people. democrats, like judiciary committee member chuck schumer, called the move unprecedented. >> but to not even give the nominee a hearing and fair consideration is beyond the pale, and it won't stand. >> reporter:stand. but republicans said democrats laid the groundwork after years of delaying hearings and block g.o.p. nominees and they point to the words of then-senator joe biden discussing a possible vacancy in 1992. >> the senate judiciary committee should seriously consider not scheduling confirmation hearings on the nomination until ever-- until after the political campaign season is over. again today said he saw no point in even meeting with the president's eventual nominee. and, scott, the white house pointing to 1875 as the last time a nominee failed to get a hearing or a vote. >> pelley: jan cr

republican senator charles grassley, who is head of the senate judiciary committee, says he will not hold confirmation hearings for any of the president's supreme court nominees. what's going to happen, we move forward. you're going to have hillary clinton on the one hand and some republican on the other hand having four national debates about who should be the next president and they the white house is reportedly considering republican governor brian sandoval of nevada for the supreme court seat... once held by the late antonin scalia. sandoval served as a district court judge before running for governor. he was nominated by president george w. bush and unanimously confirmed by the senate. iowa lawmakers discussed the invasion of privacy, or better known as peeping tom laws at the capitol. supporters say the proposed bill is a step in the right direction toward harsher punishment for "peeping toms" 'i defiantly think this bill is going to help future victims by clarifying it.' the current law requires the state to prove the victim was nude or the peeper was aroused by spying on the

committee. what did he say today? bruce, the senator used the phrase "one step at a time" to describe how the senate judiciary committee would react if the president does submit a nommee. and he used thatat phrase repeatedly without committing himself to step. senate grassley took a few general questions from the audience on other topics. but media attention was totally focused on the issue of a supreme court nominee in president obama's final year in office. and the sesetor wasnsn buying predictions of republicans paying a political price for doing nothing. "you'd have to prove to me we'd be taking a hit at this point " over the weekend, the senator agreed with top republblans the nomination should come from the new president next year. one activist who was trailing grassley in all his appearances tuesday said that was too long to wait for important court decisions. " the supreme court is the supreme court of the land and they need to be fully staffed " grassley says his role on the judiciary committee would be to begin the process of looking at a nominee's qualificatitis and he made no promises without seeing what th

he expects the senate judiciary committee holding a hearing on the nominee. nts the full senate to vote. the expects that too. white house press secretary josh earnest said that the president talked with democrats and republicans on the hill including some on the critical senate judiciary committee about this situation. >> while there is plenty of time to do this work the president and his team are moving expeditiously to nominate someone and put someone forward so that congress can pull fill their responsibility. reporter: so the senate judiciary committee chair, chuck grassley, majority leader mitch mcconnell will meet with gop members of the committee tomorrow. they wrote a piece for "the washington post," opinion piece saying it is up to the american people rather than a lame duck president who they say priority and policies they just rejected in the most recent national election who should be the ones afforded the opportunity to replace justice scalia. for now, david, at least unclear whether they will even let a committee hearing go forward. david: shann

the senate has always given a nominee a hearing since at least 1 1 1875. >> there should not be a hearing in the judiciary committee. >> the senator and the ten other republicans on the judiciary committee explained in a letter to senate majority leader mitch mcconnell, the decision was based on principle and born of the american people. chuck schumer called the move unprecedented. >> but to not even give the nominee a hearing, and fair consideration. is beyond the pale and it won't stand. >> reporter: republicans say, democrats laid the ground work. after years of delaying hearings and blocking gop nominees. and they point to the word of then-senator joe biden. discussing a vacancy in 1992. >> the senate judiciary committee should seriously consider not scheduling confirmation hearings on the nomination until, until after the political campaign season is over. >> reporter: now, leader mcconnell today, he saw no point of meeting with the president's eventual nominee. scott, the white house pointing to 1875 as the last time a nominee failed to get a hearing or a vote. >> jan crawford on capitol hill. >>> president o

he chairs the senate judiciary committee... during a town hall meeting in marengo question of if he would bring it to a vote. my question is will you continue to obstruct the president's nomination and at what point in the president's term does the constitution expire." i don't set the agenda of the united states senate in your committee i will take it a step at a time, the president hasn't nominated anybody yet." grassley says selecting a nominee shouldn't be president obama's decision to make, though in the past he has voted to confirm supreme court nominees in a president's final year in office. iowa lawmakers worry we aren't ready to turn over medicaid management... in two-weeks management will be taken over by three private companies. the change was supposed to happen on january first... but federal regulators delayed it saying the state wasn't ready. 'if i called cms would they say everything is ready to go and marked completed and were going to move forward march first, couldnt speak for cms i dont know how they would re

the proposal would declare june it passed in a senate judiciary committee analogizing committee and now advancing to the full state senate for a vote. police say dylan rooff the shooter. the community and state responded with an outpouring of love and unity. the trial on those state charges begins in july. prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty. tisha: now to the showdown between apple and the fbi. apple is fighting a judge's order to unlock a cell phone owned by one of the people brandy hit, abc news, los angeles. steve: the winner is this guy right here, a shorthair german pointer named cj. he is this year's top dog, winning best in show at the westminster kennel club last night in new york at madison square garden. the three-year-old one of 2700. if you go on twitter today, cj is all over new york city. he is moving around and taking in everything new york city has to offer. tisha: what a beautiful dog. i'm sure everybody is taking their dogs out today. it's a beautiful day. chris: absolutely. get that dog some exercise. if you did not get a chance today, you have many more op

safety department appears headed to another four year on the job....that's because the senate judiciary committee voted to advance leroy smith's confirmation. senators praised smith's leadership last year during the debate over removing the confederate flag from statehouse grounds.however there are concerns that the highway patrol can't keep troopers and smith says he's working to fix low pay. 3 3 last night hundreds of folks gatered in downtown columbia to raise money to provide support for cancer survivors. it was the fat tuesday alala gala.news19's andrea mock was the emcee of the event again this year.the chapin high school jazz band played as cancer survivors enjoyed a mardi gras cajun dinner.the alala cancer society provides who can't afford them. 3 all of the money raised will go to provide support for cancer survivors in our state. 3 the race to choose your next president is now focused on south carolina. the one group that could change the election. plus, a teacher with a special connection with her kids.why she says her students are so special. 3 and we are waking up to freezing tempera

senate. question: in your committee?" "i will take it a step at t time. the president hasn't nominated anybodyet." if he does, grassley's washington power's on display. he chairs the powerful senate judiciary committee... and that committee's the first step in hearings for a supreme court nominee. as chair, it's grassley's call whether to hold those hearings... but he doesn't think the lame duck president should put him in that position. sen. chuck grassley/ (r) iowa "i think i'm pretty clear that this should carry over to the next election but on the other hand i think take it a step at a a me." to kw that next step now. reporter off camera: "you're not ready at this point to say it doesn't matter who the name is, we're not going to take it. why are you holding back?" sen. chuck grassley/ (r) iowa "i'm not holding i'm taking it one step at a time. i'm saying we're taking it one step at a time." >> warmrm weather is headed o o way. pretty soon. ben's back with details after this... it's still cloudy in spencer, where the current << gets back on track! today will once again be cloudy and cool with highghin patchy fog, although some of you sun which will help you reach the 40s. clouds will c

. >> the senator and the ten other republicans on the judiciary committee explained in a letter to senate majority leader mitch mcconnell, the decision was based on principle and born of the american people. chuck schumer called the move unprecedented. >> but to not even give the nominee a hearing, and fair consideration. is beyond the pale and it won't stand. >> reporter: republicans say, democrats laid the ground work. after years of delaying hearings and blocking gop nominees. and they point to the word of then-senator joe biden. discusuing a vacancy in 1992. >> the senate judiciary committee should seriously consider not scheduling confirmation&hearings on the nomination until, until after the political campaign season is over. >> reporter: now, leader mcconnell today, he saw no point of meeting with the president's eventual nominee. scott, the white house pointing to 1875 as the last time a or a vote. >> jan crawford on capitol hill. jan, thank you. >>> president obama held a video conference today to brief european head of state on the cease-fire plan

as chairman of the senate judiciary committee, grassley would have an important role in this process. the editorial describes the situation as an opportunity for senator to be less of a politician and more of a statesman. choosing instead to quote disregard his constitutional duty by rejecting a nominee who hasn't even been named." elias: senator grassley has said his opposition to an obama nominee is based on precedent.,.. saying quote, "that supreme court nominees are not nominated and presidential election year." elias: debate was brought up during a series of town hall eastern iowa... grassley responded he'd take the nomination process , quote, "one step at a time." <"the senate has the right to consent or not consent so we'll be following the constitution"> elias: also attending the meetings, members of the activist group why courts matter...who say the senator is playing the issue two different ways. they point to 2008, when he argued the exact opposite...as a judicial nominee from president bush was held up by a democratic controlled here's what he said then. stopped confirming

not be confirmed until a new president is sitting in the oval office.republicans on the senate judiciary committee sent a letter to majority leader mitch mcconnell saying they won't hold hearings - or a vote - on any nominations made by president obama.iowa senator chuck grassley heads that committee.members claim their decision is based on constitutional principle. principle.this topic has many of you talking on our facebook conversation right now, search for k-g-a-n cbs 2. after now two delays -- the federal government has given iowa iowathe green light to privatize its medicaid system. but it has been pushed back another month -- to begin on *april first. first.the centers for medicare and medicaid services says iowa has made significant progress on its plan and governor branstad says managed care will give quality treatment and save taxpayers millions.the news comes just as rhonda shouse of marion leaves this morning for a rally in des moines.she says just because 39 other states have managed care systems oes ot mean it's a agood ideaean iowa. " if you look at the kansas model it has been a di

that's certainly been indicated by both the majority leader and by the chairman of the senate judiciary committee. >> despite the hard line position you refer to by senator mcconnell as well as candidate ted cruz, the head of the judiciary committee has not ruled out holding hearings. why do you think grassley is even considering it? >> i think it's actually smart that they should hold a hearing. i think that it is incumbent on the republicans in the senate to not only oppose the president's nominee, because in my view, i think nothing in this president's history indicates that he will be magnanimous and submit a really moderate candidate but instead will, you know, put up a lightweight. >> the white house has not offered names of potential nominees. the president on tuesday would not characterize the ideology of the person he might pick. he just said they would be well qualified. >>> the supreme court fight is playing out in the presidential race, too, the next contests are saturday when republicans vote in south carolina and the democrats caucus in nevada. the latest poll shows a virtual tie on

as a freshman senator in 1986 in the judiciary committee hearing he said the constitutional duty is to provide advice and consent, not to substitute our judgment for reasonable views for a nominee to hold. again, in 1999 -- 1990, the senator from kentucky said it is clear our role of government should not be politicized. in 2005, the senator from kentucky reaffirmed his stance stating -- and i quote -- "our job is to act to that nomination in a respectful and dignified way, give that person an up-or-down vote as all nominees who have majority support have gotten throughout the history of the country. it is not our job to determine who ought to be picked." close quote. and finally, just six years ago the republican leader put it in as simplest terms possible -- and i quote -- "americans expect politics to end at the courtroom door." close quote. these are just a few examples, but there are pages, pages of similar quotes from the republican leader spanning four decades on this subject. unfortunately he seems to no longer believe that politics ends at the courtroom door. he and his party

iowa senator chuck grassley leads the senate judiciary committee and will determine whether any potential confirmation hearing will ever happen once the president selects a nominee. nominee.he first said on tuesday he agreed with republican leaders about waiting until the next election -- but he later told radio iowa that he's yet to make up his mind.senator grassley said he will wait until a nominee is named before making a final decision. iowa city leaders are discussing their new goals for the community. community.tuesday night the city council put finishing touches on their strategic plan for the future.iowa city's mayor jim throgmorton included the plan in his state of the city address.it has seven priority areas developed by leaders throughout city hall over the past few months. the mayor says the state of iowa city is so strong and healthy, there is an opportunity to extend that prosperity. once but instead what we're going to try to do is set things in motion so that we can move step by step in a direction that is more inclusive, more just, more sustainable. sustainable.city leade

is moving ahead, having spent the weekend researching potential nominees, he expects the senate judiciary committee to hold a hearing on his nominee and for the full senate to vote. josh ernest said the president continues to talk with democrats and republicans on the hill. including some on the judiciary committee about the situation. >> there's plenty of time to do this work, the president and his team are moving expeditiously to nominate someone and put someone forward, so that congress can fulfill their responsibility. >> mitch mcconnell and chuck grassley will reportedly meet with gop members of the in the tomorrow. while today gop senator mark kirk facing a tough re-election battle came out in favor of the president's nominee actually getting a hearing and a vote. whether any of that will happen is unclear. also unclear, what's going to happen to the cases that supreme court heard while justice scalia was on the bench. for which it has yet to release an opinion. any case that now ends in a tie without scalia's vote will be reheard once there's a new justice or simply issued as ties. meaning t

today, the members of the senate judiciary committee on the republican side you nam mousely agreed. te a letter to senator mcconnell saying there should not be a hearing in the judiciary committee for anyone that the president nominates. the reason for that is it's not about the personality but the principle. it's up to the american people in the next election no matter who they choose to make the nomination for this important seat on the supreme court. justice scalia served for 30 years and extends beyond president obama's term of office. it's that important. as senator mcconnell said we have some precedent. we have three things. we have the biden rule, we have the reid dick umh and the schumer precedent. which they tore up the rule book. there isn't any rule book the way they have rewritten the rules and this is the path forward. senator thune: the president signed into law legislation that forbid the closing of guantanamo bay and transporting of detainees there anywhere in the united states. that was something that was sent to him by both republicans and democrats. and what he is