Trump’s Supreme Court pick in spotlight as Senate hearings start

Washington (AFP) – Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump’s conservative pick to fill a key vacancy on the Supreme Court bench, faced a Senate grilling Monday as confirmation hearings began for the lifetime appointment — which Democrats appear largely powerless to block.

The 48-year-old conservative law professor was named by the Republican president on September 26 to succeed women’s rights champion and liberal justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died of cancer eight days earlier at age 87.

By law the Senate, now controlled by Republicans, is tasked with approving nominations to the country’s highest court, where conservatives currently occupy five of the nine seats.

“We will have a hearing hopefully that the country will be (able to) learn more about Judge Barrett, learn more about the law, learn about the differences in judging,” Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Lindsey Graham said after banging a gavel to launched the proceedings.

Graham praised Ginsburg, and added that “we’re going to fill that vacancy with another great woman,” he said.

The Democrats and their presidential candidate Joe Biden are demanding that the nomination be left until after the election, but Trump wants to push ahead as quickly as possible to satisfy voters on the right.

“I believe we should not be moving forward on this nomination, not until the election has ended and the next president has taken office,” Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the panel, said after Graham’s opening.

She also reminded Republicans that some of them including Graham had pledged in 2016 not to support moving forward with a confirmation process in an election year.

Barrett, a practicing Catholic, is well regarded by conservative Christians, who share many of her values, including an opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage.

The mother of seven children, including two who were adopted and one with Downs Syndrome, once told a gathering of students that “your legal career is but a means to an end, and… that end is building the kingdom of God.”

In recent days, Barrett’s affiliation to a small group of Catholics called the People of Praise, in which she reportedly held the title of “handmaid,” has drawn particular attention.

– Faith and law –

But the judge, known for her finely honed legal arguments, insists she can keep her faith separate from her legal judgment.

“Courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” Barrett said in a draft of her opening statement to be delivered Monday.

“The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the People. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try.”

Her supporters argue she is the victim of a hostility on the left toward religion in general.

“The ongoing attacks by Senate Democrats and the media on Judge Barrett’s faith are a disgrace,” said Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell.

“We hope she gets a fair hearing,” said Vice-President Mike Pence during a debate with Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris in Utah on Wednesday.

“And we particularly hope we don’t see the kind of attacks on her Christian faith that we saw before.”

In a country where only a quarter of the population claims to be atheist or to have no religious affiliation, Harris — a California senator who sits on the Judiciary Committee that will conduct Barrett’s hearing — was careful to avoid that pitfall.

“Joe Biden and I are both people of faith,” she shot back at Pence. “And it’s insulting to suggest that we would knock anyone for their faith.”

– ‘Moon suit’ –

Despite their opposition to Barrett, Democrats have few tools at their disposal to block her confirmation.

McConnell controls the Senate’s schedule and procedures, as Republicans retain 53 of the chamber’s 100 seats.

Even though two Republican senators — Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins — have said they oppose holding a vote for Barrett before the election, the Republicans still have enough votes to fast-track the confirmation.

Only the coronavirus itself might be able to put the brakes on: three Republican senators — Mike Lee, Thom Tillis and Ron Johnson — have tested positive for the disease.

Any Senate floor vote requires a vote in person, which could pose a health risk to other members if those infected show up.

In a show of their determination to confirm the nominee before the election, Johnson said he would wear a “moon suit” to attend the vote if necessary.