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WASHINGTON D.C., October 12, 2020 ~ The Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off the first day of confirmation hearings today for Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.
The majority of day one offered a partisan display of largely scripted remarks. Democrats suggested that confirmation of Judge Barrett would risk complete dismantlement of the Affordable Care Act, eliminating protections for those with pre-existing conditions and removing millions from their insurance in the middle of a pandemic. They also claim that Barrett’s views would almost certainly roll back a woman’s right to choose, with the suggestion that her presence might also jeopardize worker’s rights, voting rights, and the rights of the LTBTQ+ community.
Republicans on the other hand spent most of their time praising the qualifications of the President’s nominee, while defending their constitutional right to move forward with the proceedings, even with the general election underway. “Justice Ginsburg, when asked about this several years ago, said a president serves for four years, not three,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Gram (R-South Carolina). “There is nothing unconstitutional about this process.”
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Many democrats were also frustrated by the presence of Republican senators Thom Thillis (R-North Carolina) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), both of whom were recently diagnosed with Coronavirus. Both Senator Thillis and Senator Lee were in attendance at the Rose Garden Supreme Court nomination ceremony on September 26, and were through to have contracted the virus at that alleged super-spreader event. In a moment that dismayed many hearing attendees, Senator Lee removed his mask in the session chamber to deliver his remarks.
For her part, Judge Barrett used the setting to introduce herself to the senators and the nation, highlighting her family, her qualifications, and her views on the role of the judicial branch in American government. “Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law, which is critical to a free society” said Barrett. “But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life. The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the People. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try. I believe Americans of all backgrounds deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written, and I believe I can serve my country by playing that role.”
Hearings continue Tuesday, with gavel-to-gavel coverage streamed live at WJR.com/SupremeCourt.