It’s official, Amy Coney Barrett is the newest associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. As expected, the Senate voted 52-48 to confirm Barrett to the high court yesterday and within hours, she was sworn in on the South Lawn of the White House by Justice Clarence Thomas.
As expected, Maine Republican Susan Collins joined all Democrats in voting against the nomination – and Senate Democrats, including leader Chuck Schumer were in full froth on the floor, accusing Republicans of conducting a "mad rush" to get Barrett confirmed, shortly before the presidential election. Barrett's confirmation locks in a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
While Democrats maintain Barrett will unravel all the social protections we have in place, Justice Barrett said in her first remarks that it’s important that judges remain outside the sway of politics. She added that judges must also resist making rulings based on politics, saying that making political decisions would be a dereliction of duty. She suggested politics should remain the job of elected lawmakers. As for what’s next, she’ll be getting to work later today after Chief Justice John Roberts administers her judicial oath.
Source: CBS News