Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett touts 'new perspectives' in first hearing; protesters clash on abortion rights

In her opening statement for her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings, Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett outlined her judicial philosophy, telling senators, "courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life."

The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by, and accountable to, the people," the U.S. Circuit judge said. "The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try."

She said, "I believe Americans of all backgrounds deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written. And I believe I can serve my country by playing that role."

Barrett's opening statement concluded the first of four scheduled days of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. While Monday was a chance for Barrett and senators to give opening statements, senators will get the chance to ask Barrett questions on Tuesday.

Barrett said that when writing an opinion she thinks of "the perspective of the losing party." She said she hoped she would bring a "few new perspectives to the bench" as the first mother of school-age children to join the Supreme Court.

"I ask myself how would I view the decision if one of my children was the party I was ruling against: Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in law? That is the standard that I set for myself in every case, and it is the standard that I will follow so long as I am a judge on any court," Barrett vowed.

She said her outlook was strongly influenced by former Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in 2016. Barrett summarized Scalia's philosophy as, "A judge must apply the law as it is written, not as she wishes it were."

Barrett also praised former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, calling her "a model of grace and dignity throughout her distinguished tenure." And she paid homage to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, saying, "I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg's seat, but no one will ever take her place."

"I will be forever grateful for the path she marked and the life she led," Barrett said.

Sen. Kamala Harris: Republicans trying to 'jam through' Barrett's confirmation

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., used her opening statement in the first confirmation hearing of Barrett to lay out what has been a consistent message from Democrats: That Republicans want to confirm Barrett as part of a broader effort to strike down the Affordable Care Act.

Holding up a picture of Myka, an 11-year-old girl from southern California, Harris spoke about the risks to her and other constituents if the Affordable Care Act were overturned.

“Myka and millions of others who are protected by the ACA know this is fundamentally what is at stake with this Supreme Court nomination,” she said, calling the hearing Republicans’ attempt to “jam through” a nominee who would strip “millions of people” of health care “during a deadly pandemic.”

The California Democrat occupies an unusual position as both a Judiciary Committee member and the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential nominee.

“Congratulations on being on the ticket,” Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Harris before she began her opening statement.

Harris testified remotely from her office, citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 after two senators on the committee tested positive.

“This hearing has brought together more than 50 people to sit inside a room for hours while our nation faces a deadly airborne virus,” she said.

Protesters outside Supreme Court clash on abortion

With a small stage set up, Democratic and progressive protesters outside the Supreme Court explained why they do not support Barrett’s confirmation to the high court.

Ana Maria Archila, who spoke at a protest event organized by Center for Popular Democracy, criticized Sen. Dianne Feinstein for acting like the confirmation hearing is a “normal thing.”

“Your job is to protect people, and protect our democracy. Your job is to make sure that we have health care in this country,” Archila said. “Your job is to make sure that women can decide what we do with our bodies and our destiny. Your job is to make sure that we have a democracy that can survive this racist president.

“It is not normal,” she said.

Pro-life and conservative protesters, with some wearing judge costumes, gathered around the stage with signs in support of Barrett and at times protested the speakers.

At one point throughout the morning, anti-abortion activists placed a megaphone on a pregnant protester's stomach and projected the sound of the heartbeat.

Women weren’t the only ones demonstrating in support of Barrett.

Ken Kessler and Barry Oxford, who we’re both wearing “Women for Amy” shirts, were among the dozens of protestors who were there in support of Barrett.

Oxford, who is from Springfield, Virginia, said he backs Barrett because he supports the constitution and pushed back against what he said were criticisms of her religion.

“We support a strong Justice that supports the Constitution, and doesn't judge by what she may believe in, or what she may think, or anything like that, but judges strictly on the Constitution and the law,” he said.

United States Capitol Police arrested close to two dozen people at "unlawful demonstration activities" outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building, spokesperson Eva Malecki said Monday.

Members of the public are not allowed inside the Senate buildings because of COVID-19-related restrictions.

Twenty-one people were arrested with "crowding, obstructing, or incommoding" entrance to a public building, and one person was charged with "unlawful conduct" on the Capitol grounds.