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President Obama is expected to go forward with a nominee for the vacancy on the US Supreme Court, following the death of Antonin Scalia.
But the Republican-controlled US Senate, which must confirm any appointment, is indicating that it will not act on any nominee presented by the president.
That means a four-four split among Republican and Democrat-nominated sitting justices.
Richard Friedman of the University of Michigan Law School says that the split could last a year or more, but it’s not catastrophic.
He says it would just mean the lower-court ruling stays in place without setting a Supreme Court precedent.
President Obama might not have to look far to find his next Supreme Court justice.
Three judges from the DC appellate court are thought to be candidates to replace the late Antonin Scalia.
Sri Srinivasan has been on the DC appeals court since 2013.
The 48-year-old would be the first Hindu Supreme Court justice.
Patricia Millett has also been on the appeals court since 2013.
Merrick Garland has served on the appeals court for 19 years and has been chief judge for the last three.
