Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Barrett’s Supreme Court Nomination

On Thursday morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett for consideration of the full Senate with all 12 Republicans on the committee voting “yea.” Senate Democrats decided to boycott the committee’s executive business meeting in protest of nomination and move to confirm Barrett before Election Day.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that he would not allow Senate Democrats to “take over the committee,” so he decided to go forward with a vote. In each chair typically occupied by a Senate Democrat, Republicans placed a portrait of the missing member.

Pro-life activists praised the vote.

“Today’s vote is a historic milestone for the pro-life movement, especially pro-life women, as Amy Barrett advances one step closer toward a seat on the nation’s highest court,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “In last week’s hearings, Judge Barrett’s formidable intellect and principled constitutionalist philosophy shone throughout hours of questioning. In the face of pro-abortion Democrats’ fearmongering and their media allies’ attacks on her Catholic faith, she showed grace and dignity. There is no question Barrett is exceptionally qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.”

“We are so grateful to President Trump, Leader McConnell, Chairman Graham, and all our allies on the Judiciary Committee for their commitment to Judge Barrett throughout this process. Moreover, pro-life senators seized the opportunity to go on offense and educate America about the extremism of Roe v. Wade. We thank them all and greatly look forward to seeing Barrett confirmed by the full Senate,” she added.

The Catholic Association (TCA) also applauded the committee vote.

“Judge Amy Coney Barrett is officially on her way to a Senate confirmation vote to become Justice Barrett. During a flawless hearing performance, Judge Barrett masterfully fielded questions about Constitutional law without a note for 20 hours, her impressive flock of children seated behind her. Amy Coney Barrett is already proving to be a transformational figure, and we look forward to her confirmation vote. We are especially grateful to Sen. Lindsey Graham for steering this nomination brilliantly through his committee,” TCA Senior Fellow Maureen Ferguson said.

“We applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for moving forward Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. As evidenced by her flawless performance during her hearings, Judge Barrett is fully deserving of the confidence in her the committee exhibited today. She is a remarkably accomplished jurist and scholar, in addition to an admirable woman of character, and should be swiftly confirmed to the highest court,” TCA Senior Fellow Ashley McGuire added.

First Liberty Institute President, CEO, & Chief Counsel, Kelly Shackleford also praised the vote.

“We commend Chairman Graham and the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who showed up to vote for the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett.  Judge Barrett is a Constitutional scholar, committed originalist, and dedicated to her family.  The nation should not tolerate any further political games or conspiracies invented by the Left to block or delay the full Senate’s vote,” he said in a released statement.

Iowa’s U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst joined with their Republican colleagues to advance the nomination.

“I’m pleased to support Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination. She has the temperament and humility we expect of a judge. She approaches cases without bias or agenda. Most important, she understands that a judge should interpret – not make – the law,” Grassley said in prepared remarks before the committee.

“She was thorough, candid and forthright at the hearing. But when pressed on how she might rule in a case, Judge Barrett properly applied the Ginsburg Rule. She demonstrated her independence by not showing hints, previews or forecasts,” he said. “Judge Barrett clearly respects precedent, and she practices judicial restraint. Her judicial method is rigorous and exacting, but fair and open minded.”

Ernst released a statement after the committee vote.

“Throughout her legal and academic career, and again during her confirmation hearings last week, Judge Barrett has demonstrated she has the character and disposition Iowans, and all Americans, are looking for in a Supreme Court Justice. Despite the Left’s best attempts to project their views on Judge Barrett and attack her faith and family, she made a clear case that she would be a thoughtful, restrained, and wise Supreme Court justice who would defend the Constitution,” she said.

“What the Democrats did today was simply fail to show up to work. Hardworking Iowans go to work every day, and that’s what they expect of their senators, which is why I showed up and proudly supported Judge Barrett’s nomination,” Ernst added. “I’m grateful for Judge Barrett’s willingness to serve our country on the Supreme Court. As a working mom of seven, she’s an inspiration to young women across the country, and a terrific choice to sit on our nation’s highest court.”