Missouri’s Senior U.S. Senator doesn’t want the Republicans in her chamber to block the president’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) says it’s ironic that’s some Republicans argue the seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia should remain vacant until a new president is elected. She says Scalia believed in closely following the Constitution, and the Constitution says nothing that would keep President Obama from making a nomination.

“The last time I looked [the Constitution] said the president had a four-year term, not a three-year term, and it said the Senate had a “duty” on advise and consent,” said McCaskill. “So I think it’s the president’s job to nominate and I think it’s the Senate’s job to consider the nomination. Republicans may reject that nomination. That’s certainly within their right to do so.”

McCaskill wants a nomination hearing, and said her position has nothing to do with politics.

“I would feel that way if this were George W. Bush. I would feel this way if it were a Republican in the last year [of a term],” said McCaskill. “I can’t promise that I would vote for the nominee but I certainly would make the commitment that I would want there to be a hearing and I would want us to consider it. I think it’s our job.”

Obama has nominated U.S. Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland.