Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is planning on voting to confirm President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
“After meeting with Judge Barrett and carefully reviewing her record and her testimony, I intend to vote in favor of her confirmation to the Supreme Court,” Romney said in a statement.
He added, “She is impressive, and her distinguished legal and academic credentials make it clear that she is exceptionally well qualified to serve as our next Supreme Court justice. I am confident that she will faithfully apply the law and our Constitution, impartially and regardless of policy preferences.”
Romney, a critic of the president, said he would vote on Trump’s Supreme Court pick in September “based upon their qualifications,” as IJR previously reported.
“The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees,” Romney said.
He continued, “I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the president’s nominee. If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications.”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced the date of Barrett’s confirmation vote would be October 22 at 1 p.m., as IJR previously reported.
Democrats have made it clear they do not want to see Barrett’s confirmation rushed.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said the confirmation proceedings “lack legitimacy” because Americans want the next president to decide who is going to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat.
“This hearing has done nothing to alleviate the concerns raised about why this nominee was chosen and why this is being rushed when the American people deserve to be heard,” Harris said.
She urged the Senate to focus on the next coronavirus relief package rather than “rushing a Supreme Court confirmation.”
Graham made it clear in September Republicans have enough votes to confirm Barrett.