From the Washington Post:

washingtonpost.com

BREAKING NEWS: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) shut down the process for approving a successor to the late Justice Antonin Scalia before it even started, declaring Saturday night that the seat should not be filled until the next president is sworn into office.

“The American people‎ should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President,” he said in a statement.

McConnell’s view is likely to be sharply challenged by President Obama and Democrats, but it will be difficult to overcome the objection of the Senate leader, whose position is likely to be supported by most Republicans.

Someone needs to remind McConnell of Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution - it is pretty specific on Presidential Powers.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.