Top Democrat says Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to Supreme Court can be slowed ‘but we can’t stop the outcome’
SENATOR Dick Durbin says Democrats cannot stop a vote on Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination, and can be slowed down “a matter of hours, maybe days at the most.”
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a top Democrat in Congress, the Illinois senator told ABC News on Sunday that he would meet with Barrett if she requested.
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“I want to be respectful,” Durbin said. “We disagree on some things. And in terms of participating in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, I’ll be there to do my job.”
Some Democrats, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have refused to meet with the nominee.
Republicans have pushed for a swift nomination and confirmation for late Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s replacement in the court.
President Donald Trump nominated Barrett on Saturday afternoon.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold confirmation hearings for Barrett the week of October 12, according to three people familiar with the schedule.
The panel plans to start the hearing with opening statements on Monday October 12, and continue with two days of questioning.
The hearings are scheduled to end on Thursday, October 15 with statements from outside groups.
Durbin told ABC News he intends to ask Barrett “point-blank” on her position with ending the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as “Obamacare.”
Looking at Trump’s comments about hurrying the confirmation process in case an election decision goes to the Supreme Court, Durbin supports the call for Barrett to recuse herself.
“I certainly wish she would, it would help matters,” he said. “And it would evidence the fact that she wants to be fair in addressing this.”
The senator criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, saying he has “taken the Senate and turned it into something that is not even close to a deliberative and legislative body.”
“We need to make sure that whatever the procedure is in the future, that we get down to business, roll up our sleeves and address the issues that affect this country,” Durbin added.
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Durbin disagreed with Hillary Clinton’s call for Democratic nominee Joe Biden to not concede the election, saying there needs to be a peaceful transition to maintain a democracy.
“I respect her, I like her,” he said. “But I think she’s just flat-out wrong. The election itself is going to be announced, the winner will be announced at some point.
“If we are going to maintain a democracy, peaceful transition through an election is the only way to do it,” Durbin continued. “Whoever the winner is, if it is clear and legal, that should be announced and the other party should concede.”