Quote:Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation promises to decisively establish textualism and originalism as the prevailing methods of the Supreme Court, a legacy provided by Justice Antonin Scalia. These philosophies minimize the role of judges by closely adhering to the words of the Constitution and laws of the United States. Justices use language and history to understand laws as the public understood them at the time of their passage. At the same time, policy decisions are returned to the politically accountable branches except to the extent they run afoul of the Constitution.


Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination is distinctive. She is a wife of 21 years, and a mother of seven (including a special needs child and two adopted children). That is a separator in and of itself.

She is a Midwesterner but grew up in Louisiana. She is not an Ivy League graduate, as all other Justices are. She graduated from Rhodes College (a respected Tennessee school) and Notre Dame’s Law School.

Her career was not embedded within the Beltway like many of the other justices but is just as impressive.
All of this would lead some to conclude she would characterize a segment of our country currently missing, and genuinely needed, on the Court. Some may find it refreshing, to be honest.

Barrett will not be an outcome-driven justice.