Washington, DC —(Map)
Judge Amy Coney Barrett has been sworn in as a justice on the United States Supreme Court. As a young judge appointed for life to the highest court in the country, it’s likely that she will have a strong impact on American life.
“It’s a privilege to be asked to serve my country in this office, and I stand here tonight truly honored,” Judge Barrett said on Monday.
(Source: Fred Schilling [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
US Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US. It has nine judges, called “justices” who decide which laws are okay and which ones are not. Choosing Supreme Court justices is one of the great powers of the president, but the Senate must approve a president’s choice. Justices normally serve until they die or choose to step down.
The Justices’ decisions affect lots of people. Justices who make decisions that Republicans often like are called “conservative”. Justices who make decisions that Democrats often like are called “liberal”. Justices who are in the middle are called “moderate”.
Judge Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September. Mr. Trump and Republicans were eager to appoint a new justice while Mr. Trump is in office and Republicans control the Senate.
On Monday, Judge Barrett was confirmed by the Senate 52 – 48. It was never really doubted that Judge Barrett would be confirmed. Only one Republican – Senator Susan Collins of Maine – joined the Democrats in opposing Judge Barrett’s nomination.
Never before in US history has a Supreme Court justice been appointed so close to an election for president. Mr. Trump has said he wants Judge Barrett on the court before the election. He has suggested that the results of the election may wind up in front of the Supreme Court.
(Source: Senate Democrats [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Democrats say Republicans rushed the process in the middle of an election for political reasons. They want the next president to select the justice. Senator Chuck Schumer, who leads the Democrats in the Senate describes it as, “the most illegitimate process I have ever witnessed in the Senate.”
Republicans say they are simply using the powers given to them by the US Constitution.
The position of Senate Republicans now is very different from 2016, when they refused for eight months to consider a judge nominated by President Barack Obama. At the time, they said that whoever won the election should be allowed to choose the next justice.
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Senate Republicans, led by Senator Mitch McConnell (above) say they’re using powers given to them by the Constitution. But in 2016, they wouldn’t consider a judge chosen by President Barack Obama, saying that the next president should get to select the justice.
Judge Barrett, who Mr. Trump appointed to the US Appeals Court in 2017, is a conservative. Before Justice Ginsburg’s death, the court had 5 conservatives and four liberals, so the numbers were nearly even.
With Judge Barrett on the court, there are now 6 conservatives and 3 liberals, making conservative decisions much more likely. Because Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, Judge Barrett, who is 48, is likely to have a strong effect on the court’s decisions for decades.
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Above, Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas (right), leads Judge Barrett through the Constitutional oath on Monday. It’s not clear yet whether Judge Barrett will avoid making decisions on cases related to Mr. Trump.
That effect will start right away, with several important cases coming up soon, including cases related to health care, the election, and actions taken by Mr. Trump. It’s not clear yet whether Judge Barrett will avoid making decisions on cases related to Mr. Trump.
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