Allowed to control its meaning, we have, no longer, a constitution. Were under the government of individual men, who, for the time being, have power to declare what their constitution is, according to their own views of what it ought to mean. And finally, a more contemporary statement from a gentleman that youre very familiar with, justice scalia. He said it in realworld terms. This is what he said the American People love democracy, and the American People are not fools. The American People know their value judgments are quite as good as those taught in any law school, maybe better. Value judgements, after all should be voted on, not dictated. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Chairman graham thank you, raise your right hand. That this testimony you are about to give is nothing but the truth, the whole truth . Family. To your the floor is yours, judge. Graham,rrett chairman Ranking Member feinstein, and members of the committee, i am honored and humbled to appear before you as a nominee for as
Criticism and as i am barked on my own legal career i resolved to maintain that same perspective theres a tendency in our profession to treat the practice of law as all consuming while losing sight of Everything Else but that makes for a shallow and unfulfilling life i worked hard as a lawyer and as a professor i owed that to my clients to my students and to myself but i never let the law define my identity or crowd out the rest of my life a similar principle applies to the role of court courts have a vital responsibility to the rule of law which is critical to a free society but courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life the policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made. The people the public should not expect courts to do so and courts should not try that is the approach that i have strived to follow as a judge on the 7th circuit and every case i have carefully considered the arguments presented by the parties discussed th
Profession to treat the practice of law as allconsuming while losing sight of Everything Else but that makes for a shallow and unfulfilling life. I worked hard as a lawyer and as a professor. I owed that to my clients, to my students and to myself. But i never let the law define my identity or crowd out the less rest of my life. A similar principle al applies to the rule of courts. Courts have a vital responsibility to the rule of law which is critical to a free society but courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life. The policy decisions and value runments of government must be made by the political branches, elected by and accountable to the people. The public should not expect courts to do so and courts should not try. That is the approach that i have strifed to follow as a judge on the seventh circuit. If every case i have carefully considered the arguments presented by the parties, discussed the issues with my colleagues on the court and
And livelihoods. The white house has become a covid19 hotspot driven by the president s ongoing denial of how serious this pandemic is. Not even contracting the virus and being hospitalized seems to have shaken him back to reality. In normal times, the senate would be focusing our attention on passing legislation to help the millions of americans suffering during this pandemic. But these are not normal times. Instead, Senate Republicans are rushing to put a nominee onto the Supreme Court to be the deciding vote to take Health Care Away from millions of people. President trump has been very clear about what he is doing. He has repeatedly promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who will strike down the aca. By nominating judge barrett the president is keeping his promise. In her speech at the white house , judge barrett aligned herself with her mentor, the late Justice Anthony scalia, who twice voted to strike down the aca. To help the president keep his promise a republican colleague
Do you solemnly swear the testimony youre about to get this committee is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you god . I do. Committee, tothe your family. The floor is yours, judge. Ranking member feinstein and members of the committee, i am honored and humbled to appear before you today as the nominee for associate justice of the Supreme Court. I think the president for entrusting me with his profound responsibility this profound responsibility and the graciousness he and his family have shown me throughout the process. I think senator young for introducing me, as he did at my hearing, to serve on the seventh circuit and i also think senator braun for his support. Well she could not be with us via satellite i am also grateful to former dean patty ohara of the notre dame law school. She hired me as a professor nearly 20 years ago and she has been a mentor, colleague, and friend ever sense. I thank the members of this committee other colleagues in the senate wh