[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 184 (Sunday, October 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                    NOMINATION OF AMY CONEY BARRETT

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, when the Senate considers nominees to the 
U.S. Supreme Court, it is particularly important that we act fairly and 
consistently, using the same set of rules, no matter which political 
party is in power.
  When President Obama nominated Judge Garland 8 months before the 2016 
Presidential election, I met with him and maintained that he was 
entitled to a hearing. Others argued that the winner of that year's 
Presidential election should be allowed to choose the nominee, and that 
is what happened. My views did not prevail, and the standard was 
established that a nominee to the Court would not be voted on prior to 
the election in a Presidential election year. This year, a vacancy has 
also occurred, notably much closer to the election.
  Prior to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, I stated that, should a 
vacancy on the Supreme Court arise, the Senate should follow the 
precedent set 4 years ago and not vote on a nominee prior to the 
Presidential election. Since her passing, I have reiterated that in 
fairness to the American people--who will either be reelecting the 
President or selecting a new one--the decision on the nominee to fill 
the Supreme Court vacancy should be made by whoever is elected on 
November 3.
  Because this vote is occurring prior to the election, I will vote 
against the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. To be clear, my vote 
does not reflect any conclusion that I have reached about Judge 
Barrett's qualifications to serve on the Supreme Court. What I have 
concentrated on is being fair and consistent, and I do not think it is 
fair nor consistent to have a Senate confirmation vote prior to the 
election.

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