Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson says the U.S. Senate needs to hold hearings on a Supreme Court nominee. It’s a position which puts him at odds with fellow Republicans in the chamber, who’ve vowed to block anyone President Barack Obama nominates.
Thompson commented on the statewide WISN Sunday show “UpFront With Mike Gousha,”
“If the President nominates, I think the Senate has got to take on the responsibility and hold hearings,” Thompson said. “They can vote it down, but I think America’s entitled to democracy to work.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, already on record in support of the Senate’s posture, was asked Monday about Thompson’s comments.
“This pick will determine how the Supreme Court goes for at least a generation, and that is going to be an enormous change in the direction of our country and the interpretation of our Constitution,” Ryan said on WRJN. “I think the Senate is well within its rights to say ‘this is such a huge issue, let’s let the people decide at the ballot box this November, what kind of government they want to have.”
Also on Sunday, Thompson endorsed Ohio Governor John Kasich for the Republican presidential nomination. Kasich’s campaign announced that the former governor will serve as Wisconsin chair of the Kasich campaign.
Thompson was elected governor four times in Wisconsin and left his final term early in 2001 to serve as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary under President George W. Bush. Thompson ran for U.S. Senate in 2012 and lost to Democrat Tammy Baldwin.