Source: Getty Images
WASHINGTON DC, Tuesday, October 13, 2020 ~ Day two of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings for Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett quickly became a partisan affair, with Democrats attempting to paint the judge as a conservative extremist put forth to execute a political agenda. Persistent among the themes were liberal concerns over the potential dismantlement of the Affordable Care Act, as well as the suggestion that her addition might well overturn landmark rulings on such topics as gay marriage, voter rights, and a woman’s right to choose.
Through it all, the 48-year-old judge offered a calm demeanor, answering questions that showed her understanding of the law while offering insights on her own legal philosophies.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) questions Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Source: Getty Images
Though pressed on several occasions, Barrett declined to say how she might vote on many of the hot-button topics. “Judges can’t just wake up one day and say, ‘I have an agenda. I like guns, I hate guns. I like abortion, I hate abortion,’ and walk in like a royal queen and impose their will on the world,” said Barrett. “You have to wait for cases and controversies, which is the language of the Constitution, to wind their way through the process.”
Democrats also showed concern over what Barrett might do if the outcome of the upcoming presidential election ended up in the Supreme Court. When asked by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) if she would commit to recusing herself from cases related to the election, she declined. \”I certainly hope that all members of the committee have more confidence in my integrity than to think that I would allow myself to be used as a pawn to decide this election for the American people.\”
Hearings continue Wednesday at 9 a.m. Catch live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the proceedings at WJR.com/SupremeCourt.