Update, 27/10/20: Amy Coney Barret’s nomination to the Supreme Court was confirmed by the Senate on Monday, October 26, in a 52-48 vote. The move means 48-year-old Barrett becomes the third consecutive judge to be appointed in Donald Trump’s first presidential term.
The judge will be appointed for the remainder of her life, an outcome that is expected to shape the decision of the country for generations, impacting issues from health care to abortion to gun rights.
Original, 21/10/20: Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings are over and, while contentious, it seems almost inevitable the attorney will be confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice before the upcoming U.S. election on November 3, 2020.
Coney Barrett, who was nominated by Donald Trump, will shift the supreme court to a conservative majority, a move that could fundamentally reshape America.
Below, everything to know about Amy Coney Barrett.
Who Is Amy Coney Barrett?
The 48-year-old New Orleans native began her career in 1998 to 1999 as a clerk for the Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, before joining Notre Dame Law School as a professor in 2002. Scalia adopted a conservative jurisprudence and ideology, beliefs that Coney Barrett is expected to carry onto the Supreme Court if confirmed.
Barrett is married to Jesse Barrett, an attorney, and she has seven children, five biological, two adopted.
While she hasn’t disclosed it publicly, Coney Barrett reportedly belongs to a small Catholic group called People of Praise who have members swear an oath of loyalty. It’s senior members—who are called a “head” for men and a “handmaid” for women—reportedly direct other members on important life decisions, including who to marry, where to live and how to raise children. Members are also expected to contribute five percent of their income to the group.
Why Was Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court Nomination So Controversial?
Donald Trump nominated Coney Barrett following the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020. Ginsburg was one of only four liberal judges on the highest court, meaning if Coney Barrett—a conservative—is confirmed, the majority would sway toward the conservative.
If confirmed, Donald Trump will have filled three conservative seats to the high court during his four-year Presidential term.
The swift nomination of Coney Barrett was also called out for its hypocrisy, given what happened in 2016 with President Barack Obama—whereby the President was made to hold off on making an official Supreme Court nomination until the Presidential election was complete. In particular, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell—who is currently advocating for Coney Barrett’s nomination—was particularly vocal at the time.
Throughout the nomination process, concerns have also been raised that Coney Barrett’s judgment on certain cases could be swayed towards decisions that are aligned with her religious beliefs, which includes fears over changes to Roe vs. Wade, health care and LGBTQI+ rights.
What Are Amy Coney Barret’s Views?
According to the Times, Coney Barrett is described as a “textualist,” meaning “one who interprets the law based on its plain words, as opposed to someone who looks to accomplish the legislature’s purpose.” Former colleagues and peers have also described her an “originalist,” or “a judge who interprets the Constitution according to the understanding of those who drafted and ratified it.”
What Does Roe Vs. Wade Have To Do With The Nomination?
Tump’s insistence to fill the court with conservative judges has left many fearing for the right to safe and legal abortions across the U.S. and whether the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that affirmed the constitutional right to abortion.
When it comes to Barrett’s record on abortion, the Times reported that in 2016 the judge said “the core holding” of Roe v. Wade was not likely to change, though she said that state-specific restrictions might.
Per The New York Times, Coney Barrett has already considered three laws that restrict abortions in her home state of Indiana.
When Will Amy Coney Barrett Be Confirmed?
The Senate will vote Monday, October 26, 2020, on confirming Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
