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| Judge Amy Coney Barrett |
Sen. Cory Booker accused Judge Barrett of wanting to enable states to "criminalize women" by opposing Roe v. Wade. If the Supreme Court decision is overturned, then states would gain the ability to allow or ban abortion.
Klobuchar similarly attacked Barrett's pro-life views, saying she is, "a justice whose views are known and who will have a profound impact on your life…who you can marry, decisions you can make about your own body.”
The Democrat Senators continued to argue that the Senate should abstain from voting on Trump's nominee until after the election. By delaying the vote, Democrats can try to get additional seats in the Senate and perhaps control of the presidency in the 2020 election. This judge would also be much more likely to be pro-abortion.
Judge Barrett took a thoughtful approach to her opening statement, saying, "Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law, which is critical to a free society. But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life. 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."
Many pro-lifers would consider the decision of Roe v. Wade to be a policy decision made by the court and will agree whole-heartedly with this sentiment. It is well-known that Judge Barrett holds pro-life beliefs, but it is unclear how exactly she would rule on abortion if she were to hold a position on the highest court in the United States. Some judges, such as Chief Justice John Roberts, will rarely if ever overrule a previous decision by the Supreme Court.
