Daines says Scalia was ‘giant of freedom’

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican, called Antonin Scalia, the conservative Supreme Court Justice who died Saturday in Texas, a “giant of freedom” who leaves behind a legacy of tirelessly defending the Constitution and principles that make the nation great.

Scalia, who spoke to a large crowd in Montana three years ago, was 79.

“Justice Scalia was a man of faith and a brilliant legal mind who dedicated himself to our country with a servant’s heart,” Daines said.

Democrats and Republicans disagree on when Scalia should be replaced.

Republicans argued the nomination should fall to the next president, but Democrats said President Barack Obama should forward a nominee.

A long-standing practice of not confirming new Supreme Court justices during a presidential election should be maintained, Daines said.

“He looks forward to a thoughtful consideration of Scalia’s replacement and believes the American people’s voices must be heard in this process,” said Alee Lockman, a spokeswoman for Daines.

Congressman Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., said on his Facebook page that he was astounded at Scalia’s unwavering defense and profound understanding of the Constitution. He said he had met Scalia.

“This is a deep and saddening loss for our entire nation,” Zinke said.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said his thoughts and prayers were with the Scalia family.

“In reflecting on the life of Justice Scalia, I’m appreciative of his service to our nation,” Tester said.

Scalia was appointed to the court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan and unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

In August, 2013, Scalia spoke before more than 300 people in Bozeman in a gathering sponsored by the Federalist Society, which he helped launch more than 30 years ago to fight the perception of liberal bias at the nation’s law schools, according to the Associated Press.

Scalia answered questions written by the audience, including one on the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms.

“What remains to be determined ... appears to be the scope of the armament that people can keep and bear,” Scalia told the crowd then. “Can they bear shoulder-fired rocket launchers?”

Scalia said the court will have to take those cases as they come, but his approach would be to apply the historical understanding of the Second Amendment, which was not just in self-defense against animals and home intruders, but for the people to protect themselves against a tyrannical leader, the AP reported.