Paul, Gray clash over Supreme Court in US Senate debate

(AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul says he "can't imagine" voting for a Supreme Court nominee from Hillary Clinton, but stopped short of vowing to continue a blockade of Democratic appointments during the first and only televised debate with challenger Jim Gray.

Paul, who is seeking re-election in Kentucky after his failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination, said he would invite any Clinton nominee to his office for a "private discussion" and said he would support anyone who "pledges to uphold the separation of powers."

Led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also of Kentucky, the Senate has refused to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court simply because it occurred less than a year from the presidential election.

[...] other Republican senators — including Ted Cruz of Texas and John McCain of Arizona — have suggested a Republican-controlled Senate would block any Democratic nominee indefinitely.

Gray tried to pin down Paul on several of his Senate votes, including voting against funding for a bill to treat opioid addiction and his opposition to a bill that would rescue the pensions and health benefits of retired union coal miners.