The vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court was the first topic tackled last (Wednesday) night as Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and his Democratic challenger Patty Judge met to debate in Sioux City.

Judge began with the issue that has been at the center of their contest.

 

Grassley is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Since February he’s said the next president should “make the next appointment” to the Supreme Court.

 

A debate moderator asked Grassley whether he’d change his mind if Hillary Clinton wins and the other G-O-P senators want to confirm President Obama’s nominee. “If a majority of the senate said that they were going to move ahead, a chairman serves at the (will) majority of the senate of the United States and I would follow the will of the majority of the senate,” Grassley said. “I don’t expect that to happen, though.” Judge said Grassley’s “playing political games” with the court.

The hour-long debate was staged at Morningside College.