Jim Daly Statement – Amy Coney Barrett

I was very encouraged to hear President Trump today announce his choice for the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. From all reports, Judge Barrett is a constitutionalist judge in the mold of her former boss, Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom she clerked after graduating summa cum laude from Notre Dame Law School.

Prior to joining the 7th Circuit in 2017, Judge Barrett taught constitutional law at Notre Dame and other schools for many years, and her reputation as an originalist and textualist grew through her writings and speeches. With nearly a hundred judicial opinions under her belt as a judge, and many additional votes in cases of national importance, Judge Barrett has produced the kind of track record that confirms her fidelity to the Constitution and the proper role of a judge.

Importantly, Judge Barrett has supported state efforts to regulate abortion. As a mother of seven children, two of them adopted and another one who has Down syndrome, she has also demonstrated the kind of respect for life and the family that tells me she has her priorities in order.

We look forward to hearing more about Judge Barrett’s qualifications for this high office, and for a swift and fair process leading to her confirmation.