istock_092220_supremectvoteromney

YinYang/iStockBy TRISH TURNER and ALLISON PECORIN, ABC News

(WASHINGTON) — Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, announced Tuesday that he will support a vote on his Supreme Court nominee this year — which could happen before the Nov. 3 presidential election.

“My decision regarding a Supreme Court nomination is not the result of a subjective test of ‘fairness’ which, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is based on the immutable fairness of following the law, which in this case is the Constitution and precedent. The historical precedent of election year nominations is that the Senate generally does not confirm an opposing party’s nominee but does confirm a nominee of its own,” he said in a statement.

“The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees. Accordingly, I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the President’s nominee. If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications,” he said.

Romney’s announcement is a major boost to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s effort to lock down GOP support for a nomination vote over angry Democratic objections.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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