WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Supreme Court Justice Kennedy announced he is retiring.

“The 5-4 decisions of the past few weeks demonstrate how important this seat on the bench is to the decisions made by the Supreme Court. Justice Kennedy has been the pivotal swing vote in important cases that have changed the lives of millions of Americans – from marriage equality to women’s rights. He should be replaced by someone who will see both sides of the issues and make a decision based on legal precedent, not someone who will vote solely on the basis of ideology.”

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