Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on his retirement Thursday before urging President Biden to pick a replacement who has “demonstrated reverence for the written text of our laws and our Constitution.”

The 83-year-old Breyer formally confirmed his retirement in a letter to Biden, saying he would leave the high court at the end of its current term, provided a replacement has been confirmed.

“Justice Breyer commands respect and affection across the legal world, including from those who disagree with his judicial philosophy and conclusions in cases,” McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement.

“The president must not outsource this important decision to the radical left,” he added. “The American people deserve a nominee with demonstrated reverence for the written text of our laws and our Constitution.”