Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham struck Democrats during his opening comments in such a way that it not only terminated the talking point that Republicans are trying to rush Barrett’s confirmation through but did so by quoting the left’s recently passed hero, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Democrats have been attempting to raise the talking point that Republicans are trying their best to push through Barrett before the election in an unfair manner, insinuating that they’re terrified Donald Trump will lose his reelection campaign and that this is yet another way that Republicans are slimy.
However, Graham made it clear that it’s highly common for a new justice to be confirmed to the Supreme Court rather quickly. What’s more, those saying that Trump doesn’t really have the right to do so with an election right around the corner and claiming that it would be fair to wait till after the votes have been tallied should probably listen to the worst of Ginsburg herself.
“Justice Ginsburg, when asked about this several years ago, said that a president serves for four years, not three. There’s nothing unconstitutional about this process,” said Graham.
Graham noted that this is a vacancy that occurred due to the tragic loss of the “great woman” he just quoted and that “the Senate is doing its duty constitutionally.”
Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC: "This is an election year…Justice Ginsburg, when asked about this several years ago, said that a president serves for four years, not three. There's nothing unconstitutional about this process…the Senate is doing its duty constitutionally."#SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/98nGPinI6E
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 12, 2020
Graham noted that it’s been 140 years since a nominee was confirmed in an election year when the President and the Senate were not of the same party. Merrick Garland happened to be the nominee of Barack Obama while Republicans controlled the Senate, and as such, had the misfortune of being politically opposed where it counted. Graham went on to say that there have been around 19 vacancies filled within an election year in U.S. history where President and Senate were aligned.
He also addressed the timing, noting all of the Supreme Court hearings that have been held within 16 days of the announcement of the nominee.
During his opening remarks, Graham also noted his regret in the extremely divisive nature that politics has adopted in this country, noting that Ginsburg was approved by the vast majority of the Senate at the time of her confirmation, including with Republican support. That no longer seems to be the case today as he also noted that he knows Democrats will not give Barrett any of their support.
“This is gonna be a long contentious week,” said Graham.
Senate Judiciary Cmte. Chairman Graham at Judge Barrett's confirmation hearing: "I think I know how the vote’s gonna come out, but I think Judge Barrett is required for the good of the nation to submit to your questions and ours. This is gonna be a long, contentious week." pic.twitter.com/pHlx77qc2g
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 12, 2020
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