Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016

Former Sen. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeProfiles in cowardice: Trump's Senate enablers McSally concedes Arizona Senate race The Hill's Morning Report - ObamaCare front and center; transition standoff continues MORE (R-Ariz.) said Saturday that Republicans should “hold the same position” on filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year as they did in 2016. 

His comments come as President TrumpDonald John TrumpBen Carson says he's 'out of the woods' after being 'extremely sick' with COVID-19 Biden will receive @POTUS Twitter account on Jan. 20 even if Trump doesn't concede, company says Trump to participate in virtual G-20 summit amid coronavirus surge MORE and GOP Senate leaders are moving on a Supreme Court nominee following the death of Justice Ruth Bader GinsburgRuth Bader GinsburgCOVID-19: Justice Alito overstepped judicial boundaries Defusing the judicial confirmation process Conservative justices help save ObamaCare — for now MORE Friday evening.

"In 2016, nine months before an election, we Republicans said that the next president should fill a Supreme Court vacancy,” Flake, who retired in 2019, tweeted Saturday. 

“Today, six weeks before an election, we should hold the same position," he continued. "Preserving the institution of the Senate should be paramount to any political gain.”

In 2016, nine months before an election, we Republicans said that the next president should fill a Supreme Court vacancy. Today, six weeks before an election, we should hold the same position. Preserving the institution of the Senate should be paramount to any political gain.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) September 19, 2020

In 2016 the Senate GOP blocked a vote for then-President Obama’s nominee Merrick GarlandMerrick Brian GarlandMerrick Garland on list to be Biden's attorney general: report Defusing the judicial confirmation process Conservative justices help save ObamaCare — for now MORE because it was during an election year. Those same leaders are now calling for a vote on a Supreme Court nominee less than two months before the election. 

Flake, a frequent critic of Trump, is one of a few Republicans who have come out as opposing a vote on a Supreme Court nominee. 

Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsMoney can't buy the Senate Hillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software GOP breaks with Trump firing of cyber chief: Adds to 'confusion and chaos' MORE (R-Maine) — a moderate defending her seat in a state Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonBig Data signaled winner days before Election Day Trump's legal fight targets Black Americans Democrats must turn around MORE won in 2016 — said Saturday that she would not support a vote on a nominee this year, which Trump pointed out during a campaign rally Saturday evening. 

Sen. Cory GardnerCory GardnerHillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software Senate passes bill to secure internet-connected devices against cyber vulnerabilities Democrats vent to Schumer over Senate majority failure MORE (R-Colo.), who is up for reelection and behind in the polls in another state Clinton won, skirted the issue of timing during a town hall Saturday.