The Senate Judiciary Committee wrapped up its first week of confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett yesterday. The committee will vote next Thursday on whether to advance Judge Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate. The advancement of her confirmation does not seem to be in question says Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, " she's going to the Court."
Addicts like me watched every hour of the Judiciary Committee hearings over the last four days (and refreshed Twitter simultaneously to read what the pundits were saying) but most 'normal' people caught only a few minutes or watched the download at the end of the day. For those of you who fall into the 'normal' category, I'll admit that this was pretty much a fair hearing— Kavanaugh 2.0 it was not.
There were a few moments of levity over the last four days. On Day 2, an exchange between Barrett and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), made waves when she revealed that she was answering all questions that day without a single note. Smart cookie!
On Day 3, after Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), questioned whether she would be an unbiased judge, Barrett responded, “I will approach every case with an open wine.” Without missing a beat, she corrected herself to say, “Open mind.”
But all joking aside, why will Amy Coney Barrett be an important addition to the Supreme Court? Judge Barrett demonstrated that she was more than capable of understanding complex legal issues, that she had the ability to deftly explain important concepts like originalism, and that she held a deep commitment to being her own person.
Here is what she revealed* and why she is exceptionally qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice:
Americans deserve an independent Court: “I believe Americans of all backgrounds deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written,” she said.
The rule of law is sacred: Judge Barrett was asked why she accepted President Trump’s nomination for the Supreme Court. “If we are to protect our institutions, and protect the freedoms, and protect the rule of law that’s the basis for the society and the freedom that we all enjoy—if we want that for our children and our children’s children—then we need to participate in that work.”
Judges shouldn’t be pundits: Each day this week, Senate Democrats tried to force Judge Barrett to share her personal political opinions. “I don’t think we want judges to be legal pundits. I think we want judges to approach cases thoughtfully, with an open mind,” she said.
Decisions must be based in law: “When I write an opinion resolving a case, I read every word from the perspective of the losing party. I ask myself how I would view the decision if one of my children was the party that I was ruling against,” Judge Barrett said. “Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in law?”
Judge Amy Coney Barrett will be confirmed to the United States Supreme Court. Her experience and dedication reveals what kind of justice she is—and she will be a tremendous example to young women everywhere. This dedicated jurist is the total package and America should be proud to have her as our next Supreme Court Justice. She's a wife, a mom, a woman of faith, a dedicated jurist, and she has worked faithfully to uphold our nation's Constitution.
*From the White House 1600 Daily
Earlier this week, I posted this photo to Bourbon and Politics on Instagram. Many of you sent me messages curious about my t-shirt. You can order them here.