'Unconscionable' Power Grab, Rights 'Wrecking Ball': Critics Erupt Over Barrett Nomination
Critics blew up Saturday after President Donald Trump formerly announced his nomination of conservative Amy Coney Barrett to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s place on the Supreme Court.
Trump was slammed for both his choice — and for an “unconscionable” power grab to ram through Barrett’s confirmation just over five weeks before the presidential election. Barrett is viewed as a dire threat to immigrant, LGBTQ and reproductive rights, soft on discrimination, out to destroy the Affordable Care Act, and a major booster for gun rights.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sounded the alarm that Barrett will “work to gut Roe v. Wade” and the Affordable Care Act, “taking health care coverage from millions of people.”
Lara Bazelon, a professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, warned in a New York Times op ed: “Make no mistake: Judge Barrett’s confirmation will be the wrecking ball that finally smashes Roe v. Wade and undoes the Affordable Care Act.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) pointed out the insanity of eliminating health care coverage in the “middle of a pandemic.”
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) hit on the same two issues, warning that Barrett’s selection would “move the court further right for a generation & harm millions of Americans.”
Joe Biden said the Senate shouldn’t act on Trump’s nomination “until after the American people select their next president and the next Congress. Americans deserve to be heard.”
Amy Coney Barrett will work to gut Roe v. Wade and the ACA, taking away health care coverage from millions of Americans—including those with pre-existing conditions. And make no mistake: Trump is counting on her to swing the Supreme Court in his favor when he loses this election. pic.twitter.com/cTpOHgintZ
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 26, 2020
