Cruz predicts another Supreme Court vacancy this year

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Thursday predicted that there will be another Supreme Court vacancy in the next few months, arguing that the opening would be a chance to “restore on nation’s constitutional protections.”

“This summer, I think we’ll have another Supreme Court vacancy,” Cruz said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

“If that happens, as much as the left is crazy now, they will go full armageddon meltdown,” he continued. “Because the next vacancy is where we have the ability to get back and restore our nation’s constitutional protections.”

{mosads}Cruz’s comments come as President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, is set to face confirmation hearings next month to fill the seat vacated by the late Antonin Scalia.  

“The Scalia seat is defense. We’re not going to get anything better than Justice Scalia,” Cruz said. “The best we can do is preserve constitutional victories like upholding the Second Amendment and protecting religious liberty.”

“Gorsuch’s nomination is important,” he said. “Mark my words, Judge Gorsuch will be confirmed.”

Cruz, who sparred with Trump during the campaign, received a warm reception from CPAC attendees, garnering huge applause and a standing ovation when he walked onto the stage.

The former GOP presidential candidate won CPAC’s presidential straw poll in 2016.