Former top GOP leader sounds off on Supreme Court vacancy

The Obama Administration continues its search Monday night for someone to replace the late justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Missouri State lawmakers gathered Monday night at the Cole County Republic Central Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner.

The featured speaker was former Oklahoma U.S. Rep J.C. Watts.

Watts, the former House Republican chairman, spoke to ABC 17 News about the nomination process for the high court.

He said he can see the reason for the expected judicial fight.

“I think the president has the right to nominate, Mitch McConnell has the right to say ‘we’re not going to confirm and I understand both sides,'” said Watts.

Scalia was found dead in his room at a west Texas resort Saturday morning.

The Ronald Reagan-appointed justice was 79 years old.