The Checkered Background of Congress' Position on SCOTUS

In 2016, the Republican held Senate refused a hearing for President Obama's appointee Merrick Garland, arguing that it was too close to a presidential election. Their argument was dishonest and held no ground. The appropriate path forward would've been to hold a hearing and later refuse the nominee for not interpreting the Constitution in a literal manner. It was President Obama's responsibility and duty to appoint a Supreme Court Justice, and it was the Senate's to hold a hearing.

In 2020, President Trump faced scrutiny after executing his presidential duty by appointing Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the land's highest court. Democrats like then-Democratic Nominee Joe Biden were outraged and called on him to wait until after the election. The only problem with Biden's argument is that he opposed the idea of waiting for the election results as Vice President under Obama.

The Senate tends to vote to confirm SCOTUS appointees strictly along party lines. If the Senate majority belongs to the same party as the President when a vacancy becomes available, you can expect a confirmation.