Amy Coney Barrett is Officially Sworn In

Judge Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed on Monday, October 26th, 2020 to the Supreme Court. The republicans conquered democratic opposition, making Judge Barrett the 115th Supreme Court Justice and the 5th woman to serve. 

The vote was close with 52 to 48. Susan Collins of Maine was the only republican who did not support her. This was the first time in 151 years that a justice was sworn in without the support from a single vote of the minority party. 

A new justice was in need after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Democrats argued that they should wait to vote until after Election Day. Republicans said it was their right as the majority party. The result being that the court would have a conservative advantage. 

Barrett will begin work a week before Election day. She will participate in a conference among other justices and will take her place on the bench for oral arguments next Monday. 

Judge Barrett pledged during her confirmation hearings to have an independent mind. However, she is known to favor conservative positions. President Trump thinks highly of her, “She is one of our nation’s most brilliant legal scholars, and she will make an outstanding justice on the highest court in our land.”