High court pick enthuses GOP senators
VP: Barrett is example of ‘the best of America’
WASHINGTON — Republican senators praised President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Tuesday as Judge Amy Coney Barrett held one-on-one meetings at the Capitol.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell said he was “even more convinced” by Barrett after their brief meeting. Noting that she is a working mother of seven children, he scoffed at Democratic objections that the judge would put Americans’ access to health care at risk or turn back the clock on women’s rights.
“What a joke,” he said.
Democrats are confronting the limits of their power as they fight the nomination, and some have said they won’t meet with Barrett, who is expected to be confirmed by the end of October for the seat held by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18 at the age of 87, was buried Tuesday in a private service at Arlington National Cemetery.
With Republicans holding a 53-47 Senate majority and just two GOP senators opposing a quick vote, Barrett appears to have enough support for confirmation.
At the Capitol, Vice President Mike Pence said Barrett “represents the best of America.” The White House formally submitted the nomination Tuesday.
“She’s got a good chance of getting my vote,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-iowa, the former Judiciary Committee chairman, who now helms the Finance Committee.
Ahead of one meeting, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the GOP whip, said the two were set “to talk about judicial philosophy and background and experience, and also whether or not she thinks ‘Hoosiers’ is the greatest movie ever.”
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham, said that barring any unusual developments, he is going to vote for her.
Barrett made no public remarks at the start of what is expected to be days of meet-and-greet sessions with senators, a traditional part of the confirmation process. Hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee are set to begin Oct. 12.