An ideological replacement for Scalia is "unlikely to happen," Tillis conceded, "but I think we fall into the trap if we just simply say sight unseen—we fall into the trap of being obstructionist." | Getty Tillis warns Senate GOP colleagues of 'obstructionist' approach to SCOTUS pick

Sen. Thom Tillis is cautioning his Republican colleagues against reflexively blocking President Barack Obama's eventual Supreme Court nominee, warning of "the trap of being obstructionist."

While not discounting the notion that Obama could nominate someone with a similar résumé and credentials as the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the North Carolina Republican elected in 2014 suggested in an interview with The Tyler Cralle Show on Tuesday that lawmakers should consider any nominee the president sends forth and approve or reject based on his or her merits.


An ideological replacement for Scalia is "unlikely to happen," Tillis conceded, "but I think we fall into the trap if we just simply say sight unseen—we fall into the trap of being obstructionist."

"All we’re trying to say is that based on this president’s action, it is highly unlikely," Tillis explained. "And if [Obama] puts forth someone that we think is in the mold of President Obama’s vision for America, then we’ll use every device available to block that nomination, wait for the American people to voice their vote in November and then move forward with a nomination after the election and most likely with the next president."

The remarks are in contrast to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who last Saturday called on his colleagues not to move on any nominees until a new president is elected.