Amy Coney Barrett was sworn during a White House ceremony Monday night, following a vote that saw her nomination be confirmed by the Senate.
In a 52-48 vote, the high chamber handed President Donald Trump a victory with just 7 days remaining until Election Day. Republicans overcame stark Democratic opposition, making Judge Barrett the 115th justice to the Supreme Court. Barrett also became the fifth woman to sit on the high court.
Barrett, a 48-year-old appeals court judge, will now fill the vacancy left by the late liberal icon, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, after her passing just six weeks before the General Election.
Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in to the Supreme Court on Monday evening, shortly after her nomination was confirmed by the Senate. Afterward, she said she will do her job on the court “independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences.” https://t.co/RK4xq2i2c1 pic.twitter.com/NZorbvdDaj
— CNN (@CNN) October 27, 2020
While Trump still trails in the polls nationally, the swearing-in of Barrett gives the political right something to cheer about in the lead up to the election. With Barrett cementing a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, Republicans hope to parlay Barrett’s triumph into another four-year lease for the President.
And with the election looming, no piece of real estate is more important to the Trump campaign than Florida. While Trump’s path to victory must include him retaining Rust Belt states, early election night indicators in the Sunshine State will be must-watch TV.
That said, leaders and officials across Florida have a vested interest in the hotly-contested race, as well as how Barrett’s confirmation will play into the Nov. 3rd showdown.
Monday night’s confirmation by the Senate came as a surprise to no one, with many in the political arena knowing that it was a foregone conclusion that Barrett would be the one to tilt the court right. Naturally, Republicans across the state applauded the confirmation, with many state officials and pointing to Barrett’s credentials, experience and textualist approach to the bench.
Despite Democrats’ refusal to engage in this process, Senate Republicans did our job and confirmed an eminently qualified judge to be the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
I’m proud to support Justice Barrett and know she will serve our nation well. pic.twitter.com/e8gtqdwfrc
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 27, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett has been confirmed by the Senate
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 27, 2020
Throughout this confirmation process I have been struck by the humility of now Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Her belief in judicial restraint and her recognition of the limited – albeit important – role the courts play gives me hope that our Constitution will endure.
— Chris Sprowls (@ChrisSprowls) October 27, 2020
Congratulations to Justice Amy Coney Barrett – an extraordinary legal mind who will uphold the rule of law #ACB #Confirmed
— Paul Renner (@Paul_Renner) October 27, 2020
Congratulations, Justice Barrett! A wonderful addition to the Court! https://t.co/Nt0O9atURN
— Will Robinson (@will_robinsonjr) October 27, 2020
Truly an amazing night in American history equality and freedom for all.@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/SfztaXi2ZK
— Bob Rommel (@bob_rommel) October 27, 2020
Although GOP legislators rejoiced Barrett’s achievement, Democrats in Florida didn’t mince words, openly rejecting the vote while lambasting Republicans for expediting the confirmation process.
The priorities of Senate Republicans are all wrong.
Instead of passing the HEROES Act for the millions who are struggling, they rushed the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett.
My hope is that Justice Barrett will be fair and impartial, guided by the law rather than ideology.
— Rep. Donna E. Shalala (@RepShalala) October 27, 2020
Make no mistake: by voting to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett, the Senate voted to dismantle health care, women’s rights, workers’ rights and voting rights, and to set back progress for a generation.https://t.co/dqoJMtXXT6
— Rep. Lois Frankel (@RepLoisFrankel) October 27, 2020
My statement on #AmyConeyBarrett confirmation: pic.twitter.com/WSSYNLdlfr
— US Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) October 27, 2020
My statement on the Senate’s partisan confirmation of Barrett to the US Supreme Court 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/3Axw7wnNTo
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) October 27, 2020
Brand new SCOTUS justice confirmed by the GOP just 8 DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION after absolutely refusing to confirm Obama’s nominee 11 MONTHS before the 2016 election. They have no shame. No ethical or ideological compass. Just vote them out. 🗳 https://t.co/d4S8Xi99Mx
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) October 27, 2020
52-48
Elections Have Consequences. 🤬
Missing RBG so much. #SupremeCourt— Representative Cindy Polo (@CindyPoloFL103) October 27, 2020
Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the judicial oath to Barrett on Tuesday.