Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has today continued her confirmation hearing in the Senate.
The hearing of Barrett, who is President Donald Trump’s nominee for the vacant seat on the Supreme Court, began yesterday, but then consisted mostly of Republicans and Democrats speaking for and against the appointment, respectively.
For several hours today, Barrett has answered a number of questions from the Justice Committee, and has been pressured on several of his legal views.
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Notepad
Senator John Cornyn of Texas also wanted to know how Barrett had prepared for the session.
– Most of us have several notebooks, notes and books and stuff in front of us. Can you keep up what you have referred to when you have answered our questions, he asked.
Barrett replied with a smile, before lifting an empty notepad, writes New York Post.
Cornyn then asked if there was anything on the block.
– The letterhead, which says “US Senate”, replied Barrett.
– It is impressive, Cornyn stated.
Also The Guardian has pointed out that Barrett appeared for today’s hearing without any notes.
– They hate me
Avoid questions
Unlike yesterday, when Barrett only came with one short statement about the family, the role of Supreme Court judge and a tribute to the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she has today really had to answer for herself.
At the same time she has avoided a number of important questions. She would not comment on whether she would abstain from matters related to Trump and the choice of whether she should be appointed.
– I can not come up with an opinion on waiver (recusal, editor’s note) without the whole process short-circuiting, Barrett said according to NTB.
Democrat Richard Blumenthal on Monday asked Barrett to abstain from any issues related to President Donald Trump and contest the election if she is appointed a Supreme Court judge before the November 3 election.
If Barrett gets involved in election-related cases, she will damage the reputation of the Supreme Court, according to the Connecticut senator.
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– Did not talk to Trump
Donald Trump has said a number of times that the election may be rigged and that one cannot rely on postal votes. He has indicated that he will contest the election if he loses.
Barrett said she has not spoken to Trump or anyone else in the administration about how she opposes the election in court.
Trump’s master plan cracks
Questions about racism
Today, she would also not answer the direct question of whether she would refrain from a case involving Obamacare, since she has been appointed by a president who has long wanted to abolish the scheme.
Nor would she give her views on the debate over whether there is systematic racism in today’s United States.
Barrett said that thinking something about what policy should be used in the fight against racism would be a bit beyond what she is capable of as a judge.
She was also asked if she had seen the footage where a police officer pressed his knee against George Floyd’s neck until he stopped breathing.
Barrett then confirmed that she had seen the footage. The 48-year-old, who has two adopted children from Haiti, said that the Floyd video therefore had a very personal impact on her family and that they cried together.
Can remove abortion rights
Questions about abortion
Barrett also received several questions about the Supreme Court decision from 1973, also known as “Roe vs. Wade ».
This establishes women’s right to abortion, and is a thorn in the side of many conservatives in the United States.
She repeatedly refused to comment on Roe v. Wade, according to CNN.
Barrett said that it would not be right for a nominated candidate to say in advance how one will judge in cases that come up in court.
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