By Michele L. Jawando and Billy Corriher

Within an hour of the news of Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing on February 13, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said the Senate should not consider any U.S. Supreme Court nominee until the next president is inaugurated in 2017. If Senate Republicans follow through with their threats of obstruction, it would damage the Court and its ability to answers the country’s most pressing constitutional questions. But it would be even more damaging for the millions of Americans whose lives and livelihoods sit in legal limbo, dependent on an eight-member Supreme Court that may be deadlocked and unable to set precedent.

More than 100 million Americans are waiting for the Supreme Court to decide critical issues that affect their lives. Around 18 million women live in states that are shutting down abortion clinics. More than 6 million Americans have loved ones who are unauthorized immigrants fearing deportation. Around 1.5 million students of color are graduating high school unsure if colleges will be allowed to diversify through affirmative action. More than 7 million public employees who rely on strong unions could have their economic security threatened. Thousands of Americans work for religious employers that are arguing that their right to religious freedom outweighs their employees’ right to access health care. The Court’s redistricting cases could affect the entire country.

Source – http://app.mx3.americanprogressaction.org/e/es.aspx?s=785&e=954150&elqTrackId=29938bde7ef4498484f92f21a4f69a2b&elq=e058086063a247368f8e46bd2cfa059d&elqaid=29450&elqat=1