Clarksdale Press Register
Wicker, Hyde-Smith Comment on Barrett Nomination
By The Press Register
U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker, (R-Miss) have issued the following statements regarding Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, who was nominated to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court by President Donald Trump on Saturday.
“President Trump has exercised his right to put forth a nominee to fill a Supreme Court vacancy. In Judge Barrett, I believe President Trump has chosen a qualified conservative jurist who, if confirmed, will bring an important perspective to the Court.
“I look forward to being part of her historic and important confirmation process, which will follow precedent and regular Senate order,” said Hyde-Smith. “I take my constitutional ‘advice and consent’ responsibility very seriously, and I will carefully weigh Judge Barrett’s merits and qualifications and vote accordingly.
“Filling a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court is a solemn process for our nation,” she added, “and I hope Senate consideration of Judge Barrett will not descend into the dishonorable spectacle that Americans witnessed during the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.”
Wicker’s statement echoed much of Hyde-Smith’s comments.
“Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding judge and an even better person,” said Wicker. “A mother to seven children, she was subjected to unfair attacks on her religious faith and judicial philosophy during her previous confirmation process.
“Her grace under pressure and long-standing commitment to the rule of law indicate that she has the right temperament to serve on the Supreme Court and go through a highly-charged confirmation process,” said Wicker. “I commend President Trump on another exceptional pick for the high court, and I hope to meet with Judge Barrett soon.”
Judge Barrett was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on Oct. 31, 2017. Wicker supported her confirmation, as did all Senate Republicans and three Senate Democrats.
A native of New Orleans, La., Barrett graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. She attended Notre Dame Law School, where she was executive editor of the Notre Dame Law Review and graduated summa cum laude. She clerked for Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and for the late Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.
Barrett joined the faculty of her alma mater, Notre Dame Law School, in 2002 teaching courses on federal courts, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation. She was named “Distinguished Professor of the Year” three times. President Trump nominated Barrett to the Seventh Circuit in May 2017.
Judge Barrett lives in South Bend, Ind., with her husband, Jesse Barrett, and their children.