US President Donald Trump (L) and Judge Amy Coney Barrett (R), with US First Lady Melania Trump (C), arrive at the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 26, 2020. (AFP photo)
US Democratic leaders have decried President Donald Trump and the GOP for trying to install a judge to the Supreme Court in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.
"The American people know the US Supreme Court decisions affect their everyday lives," said Democratic nominee Joe Biden in a statement. "The United States Constitution was designed to give the voters one chance to have their voice heard on who serves on the Court."
He made the comments after the president went ahead with his plan to nominate Amy Coney Barrett for the Republican-held Senate to confirm her before the November 3 election.
"That moment is now and their voice should be heard. The Senate should not act on this vacancy until after the American people select their next president and the next Congress," Biden said, describing Barrett as having a "written track record of disagreeing with the US Supreme Courts decision upholding the Affordable Care Act."
House speaker Nancy Pelosi also slammed the decision, warning over the fate of the Obamacare.
"For four years, President Trump has tried to crush the Affordable Care Act in the Congress and the Courts," Pelosi said in a statement."This nomination threatens the destruction of life-saving protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions together with every other benefit and protection of the Affordable Care Act."
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments for the case on November 10, a week after the election.
"If this nominee is confirmed, millions of families health care will be ripped away in the middle of a pandemic that has infected seven million Americans and killed over 200,000 people in our country," Pelosi added.
This while Barrett claimed that judges must be "resolute" in setting aside personal beliefs.
"A judge must apply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold," Barrett said. "I am truly humbled by the prospect of being on the Supreme Court. Should I be confirmed, I will be mindful of who came before me. the flag of the United States is still flying at half staff in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to mark the end of a great American life."
Senate minority leader Charles Schumer also ripped the decision to nominate a circuit judge to the high court.Supreme Court, arguing that, if confirmed, she will help "tear down" gains made by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"Justice Ginsburgs dying wish was that she not be replaced until a new president is installed. Republicans are poised to not only ignore her wishes, but to replace her with someone who could tear down everything that she built. This reprehensible power grab is a cynical attack on the legitimacy of the Court," Schumer said in a statement. "I will strongly oppose this nomination."
Millions of dollars are, meanwhile, being spent to support the nomination by a trio groups: Judicial Crisis Network, Americans for Prosperity and Susan B. Anthony List.
"Justice Ginsburg was confirmed in 42 days, Justice OConnor in 33, and both confirmations were nearly unanimous," Carrie Severino, president of Judicial Crisis Network, said in a statement. "But Democrats wont be able to bring themselves to support Judge Barrett because they are beholden to left-wing extremists who want to pack the Supreme Court and defund the police while our cities burn."
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/20514
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