Another Republican senator added their voice to a call for the Senate not to take up a Supreme Court nomination before the election next month.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski issued a statement in which she reaffirmed her previous position of not filling in the vacant position "this close to the election".

"For weeks, I have stated that I would not support taking up a potential Supreme Court vacancy this close to the election. Sadly, what was then a hypothetical is now our reality, but my position has not changed," Murkowski's statement read in part.

"I did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Justice Scalia. We are now even closer to the 2020 election - less than two months out - and I believe the same standard must apply."

Murkowski joined Maine Senator Susan Collins who had said "the decision on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should be made by the President who is elected on November 3rd."

In 2018, Murkowski, who has built a reputation as someone willing to cross party lines, voted against the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump nominee.

That means that in addition to Collins and Murkowski, Democrats need to win over at least two other Republican senators to block the process.

(With input from agencies)