Since the passing of the Supreme Court justice and liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a valuable seat was left vacant in order to replace one of the most respectable and admirable judge to ever serve in the highest court of law in the nation. The legacy RBG left behind resembles her feminist advocacy and dedication through the years and a constant struggle to bring change to America. It is with no doubt that former justice Ginsburg will forever represent a role model figure for many women in the United States and around the world. Nevertheless, Amy Coney Barrett, her successor, embodies a partial opposition to those same liberal views for which RBG strongly defended.
Born in New Orleans, the 48 years old judge attended Notre Dame Law School, graduating as the most distinguished in her class. After graduating, she spent two years as a law clerk for former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. After a remarkable academic record, Barrett was nominated for Chicago’s federal appeals court in the Seventh Circuit by President Trump. ACB has made a reputation for herself as an astonishing academic with strong religious ties to her Catholic faith; Scalia’s protégé is an originalist, believing the Constitution should be interpreted as it was written. She will be the 5th woman to serve as an associate of the SCOTUS and the 115th member of the court.
Taking place in the U.S’ Senate, the president’s top candidate to occupy that same position was confirmed by a vote of 52 to 48. However, her nomination has been heavily criticized by Democrats arguing the proximity this major duty imposed over the Senate had to the presidential election. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) claimed Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for contradicting their stance regarding the confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee that close to the election; this referencing Republican opposition to Obama's pick in 2016 eight months before the presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, Despite many efforts from the other side of the aisle, Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconell (R) pushed the nomination at President Trump’s request and obtained one of the most controversial decisions during Trump’s administration.
Among a politically tense 2020, Amy Coney Barrett tilted the judicial balance 6-3 in favor of Conservatives. This is added to the fact that ACB did not answer many critical questions asked by some senators, mostly Democrats. Major issues that are recently being discussed among the American people were not considered due to “political inconveniences.” During four days of confirmation hearings, Sen. Dianne Feinstin (D) and Amy Kloubochar (D) asked the president’s nominee whether the court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade was, in her opinion, properly asserted. Coney stated: “I have no agenda and will not answer a controversial question that might affect the viewing of my capacity as a judge”. As reasonable and moderate as it might appear, her silence speaks high volumes of uncertainty and corroborate she agrees with her mentor’s (Scalia) views that “Roe v. Wade was wrongfully ruled, it should and can be overturned”. Therefore, Amy Coney Barrett’s stances on imperative topics such as abortion and homosexual rights were left to speculation.