Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) believes Republicans have enough votes to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
“I’m very confident. I believe we have the votes. I believe we’ll get it done,” Cruz said
He noted two Republicans had expressed concerns about moving forward with the confirmation, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
“Assuming they vote ‘no’ and I don’t know that either one has actually put in concrete that they’ll vote ‘no.’ But, even if they vote ‘no,’ as I see it, we have a solid 51 votes right now. And from the conversations in the conference, I don’t see that changing,” Cruz said.
Watch his comments below:
.@SenTedCruz said he's confident Republicans have the votes to confirm Amy Coney Barrett. https://t.co/DjyNr6SR4w #postlive pic.twitter.com/kPJKMonbAb
— Washington Post Live (@PostLive) October 6, 2020
He called Barrett a “very strong” nominee and acknowledged her academic credentials as “impeccable.”
Cruz went on to explain he was very impressed by her demeanor.
“Her demeanor is very calm. It’s very scholarly. It’s very much a judicial temperament and I think that will serve her well,” he said.
Cruz argued Senate Democrats might “attack” and “malign” Barrett, but he expects she will be “unfazed” and “calm” throughout.
Several Democrats have pushed for a delay in confirmation hearings.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) noted three senators have tested positive for COVID-19, and moving forward with hearings could put others at risk, as IJR previously reported.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) have all tested positive for the coronavirus.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) urged the Supreme Court not to rush Barrett’s confirmation hearings amid concerns the coronavirus will spread among lawmakers, as IJR previously reported.
The Judiciary Committee announced it would open a confirmation hearing on Oct. 12 at 9 a.m. EDT.
According to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the hearing will be a hybrid format with some members participating remotely.