Georgia Republicans and Democrats went to their respective corners after President Donald Trump nominated conservative appellate judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Peach State’s two Republican senators are all-in on the nomination and pushing for Senate confirmation of Barrett before the Nov. 3 election.
“With her background as a former clerk to the late Justice [Antonin] Scalia and an originalist, Judge Barrett will protect individual liberties including the right to life, the Second Amendment and religious liberties by ensuring the Constitution and our laws are applied as written,” said Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who boasted of being the first senator to call for a vote on the nomination before the election.
“Georgians want a Supreme Court that applies the law, not makes the law,” Sen. David Perdue added. “Throughout her impressive legal career, Judge Barrett has been an ardent defender of the Constitution and steadfast supporter of the rule of law.”
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U.S. Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville, Loeffler’s chief Republican opponent in a Nov. 3 special election to replace retired Sen. Johnny Isakson, said putting Barrett on the Supreme Court means a long-awaited opportunity to reverse the 1973 decision that legalized abortion on demand.
“The Supreme Court has a chance to forever change the outlook of our country,” Collins said. “With Judge Barrett, we finally have a chance to overturn Roe v. Wade and give millions of unborn babies a chance to live.”
Democrats are worried over the scenario Collins described.
Jon Ossoff, who is opposing Perdue’s bid for a second term, said several important questions need to be answered before senators vote on Trump’s nominee.
“Will Judge Barrett impartially uphold the rule of law in Roe v. Wade and defend the fundamental right to privacy in health care?” Ossoff asked. “Will Judge Barrett impartially uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest by upholding the Affordable Care Act, which prevents insurance companies from denying health coverage to Americans suffering from cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other pre-existing conditions?”
The Rev. Raphael Warnock, Loeffler’s main Democratic opponent, said he, too, is worried about what putting Barrett on the court could mean for the future of the Affordable Care Act.
“Now is no time to rush through a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court,” Warnock said. “Our health care, voting rights, women’s health and other important issues the next court will decide are too important for a rushed, political process. The next president, whoever it is, should make the appointment and the Senate should have a thoughtful process worthy of the importance of this seat.”
