Chairman Graham: The Senate Is Doing Its Duty

WASHINGTON?– Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today gave his opening statement on the first day of the hearing to consider Judge Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court. 

On Judge Barrett:

• GRAHAM: “In my view, the person appearing before this committee is in a category of excellence - something the country should be proud of. And [Judge Barrett] will have a chance to make her case to be a worthy successor and to become the ninth member of the Supreme Court of the United States. https://youtu.be/zE3Jha5UUas?t=277
• GRAHAM: “I would like the world and the country to know more about Judge Barrett. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished. I think you’re a great choice by the President.”  https://youtu.be/zE3Jha5UUas?t=613
• GRAHAM: “[Judge Barrett] has published numerous articles in prestigious journals, including the Columbia, University of Virginia, and Cornell Law Review. She’s been a circuit court judge at the Seventh Circuit since 2017. She was confirmed to that position with a bipartisan vote. She has heard hundreds of cases in that capacity. She said, ‘I clerked for Justice Scalia more than 20 years ago, but the lessons I learned still resonate. His judicial philosophy is mine. A judge must supply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold.’” https://youtu.be/zE3Jha5UUas?t=377

On the hearing process:

• GRAHAM: “One of the most important jobs the Senate Judiciary Committee will ever do is have hearings and confirm a Justice to the Supreme Court.” https://youtu.be/zE3Jha5UUas?t=98
• GRAHAM: “There is nothing unconstitutional about this process. This is a vacancy that has occurred through a tragic loss of a great woman and we’re going to fill that vacancy with another great woman. The bottom line here is that the Senate is doing its duty constitutionally.”  https://youtu.be/zE3Jha5UUas?t=487
• GRAHAM: “There was a time in this country where someone like Ruth Bader Ginsburg was seen by almost everybody as qualified for the position of being on the Supreme Court, understanding that she would have a different philosophy than many of the Republicans who voted for her.” https://youtu.be/zE3Jha5UUas?t=215

On health and safety guidelines:

• GRAHAM: “As to the hearing room, I doubt if there’s any room in the country that has been given more attention and detail to make sure it’s CDC compliant. The Architect of the Capitol working with the Attending Physician has set up the room in a fashion so we can safely do our business.” https://youtu.be/zE3Jha5UUas?t=38