Rob Portman: “I would like to talk tonight about the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for the vacant Supreme Court Associate Justice…”

“I would like to talk tonight about the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for the vacant Supreme Court Associate Justice seat. I think the President made a great pick. From all indications, she is an impressive lawyer, judge, and person. We have already begun the process of looking at Judge Barrett. She has been meeting with Members of the Senate, and I look forward to my meeting with her. The precedent for moving forward with this nomination at this time is crystal clear. During an election year, when one party holds the Presidency and the Senate, in the entire history of our country, the Senate has confirmed the nominee in every single case except one. That one exception, by the way, was somebody who withdrew because of ethics concerns that both Republicans and Democrats had. So the precedent is very clear. When you have the President and the Senate of the same party, we confirm. In contrast, when power is divided and a Supreme Court vacancy arises during an election year, Senate precedent is not to confirm the nominee. In fact, the last time a confirmation occurred with the President and the Senate of different parties was in the 1880s. That distinction is what separates now from 2016. Back then, I wrote an op-ed: Some argue that the American people have already spoken. And I agree they have. Both the president and the Senate majority were fairly and legitimately elected.…”