Norton Statement on Senate Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett

Statement

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today commented on the Senate confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus' (CBC) Judicial Nominations Task Force, Norton spent time reading Barrett's previous decisions and concluded that Judge Barrett's disregard for precedent posed considerable danger to the legitimacy of the Court and particularly to African Americans, who disproportionately rely on judicial precedents, such as those upholding the Affordable Care Act.

"As an attorney, former tenured professor of law, and Member of Congress, I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and I believe Barrett's confirmation today poses danger to the body of laws supporting our country's founding documents," Norton said. "As an African American and Chair of the CBC's Judicial Nominations Task Force, I must also call attention to the fact that communities of color disproportionately rely on the outcomes of cases about government policies that tend to be decided by the Supreme Court, like the expected decision about the Affordable Care Act this fall.

"Barrett's confirmation today advances neither the legitimacy of the Court nor the interests of the communities I represent. I will continue fighting for both."

Norton previously sent letters with CBC Chair Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) to Senate Judiciary Committee leadership opposing confirmation of Barrett.

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