Justice Stevens To Step Down

J. Stevens said today in a letter to President Obama that he will step down when the court finishes its work for the summer in late June or early July. Stevens is leaving ample time for the White House to settle on a successor and for Senate Democrats, who control a 59-vote majority, to hold confirmation hearings and a vote before the court’s next term begins in October. Republicans have not ruled out attempts to delay confirmation. Stevens’ announcement, which came 11 days before his 90th birthday, had been hinted at for months. It’s presumed Obama will nominate another liberal, so the departure won’t alter the court’s philosophical makeup.