The Senate has to confirm any new nominee and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell does not appear interested in holding hearings until after the election:
“… “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,” he said in a statement. “Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.” …”
Democrats are upset, but it did not take long for their own words to come back to haunt them:
“… Charles Schumer decried the intent of many Senate Republicans to prevent President Barack Obama from appointing the successor to deceased Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. But less than a decade ago, Schumer advocated doing the same exact thing if any additional Supreme Court vacancies opened under former President George W. Bush …”
Both parties have an interest in delaying seating a new justice. They can use the issue to raise money and excite the base for the upcoming fall elections.