Category Archives: supreme court

Four New Justices and Two Senators in D.C.

four new justices, two new senators

The House introduced legislation last week to pack the Supreme Court with four new justices. So why not add a couple senators while they’re at it? Done. They passed a bill on Thursday to make Washington DC the 51st state.

Scorched Earth Response to Filibuster Nuclear Option

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Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell gave a “scorched earth” speech last week. Democrats have been threatening to end the filibuster which requires 60 votes to pass legislation. But McConnell said if they do that they’ll turn the Senate into a “100 car pile-up.” And nothing will get done:

Let me say this very clearly for all 99 of my colleagues: Nobody serving in this chamber can even begin — can even begin to imagine — what a completely scorched earth Senate would look like.

Mitch McConnell on the U.S. Senate floor

Senate rules require the consent of all its members to conduct business. So Republicans could easily grind the place to a halt. For example they could withhold consent to minor votes without quorum calls.

Harry Reid invoked the “nuclear option” in 2013 to kill the filibuster for approving most presidential appointments. But when the worm turned McConnell added Supreme Court nominees to Reid’s list and Trump landed three new justices.

Exponential Growth Supreme Court Packing

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Exponential growth is great for your 401k but not so much for the U.S. Supreme Court. But that’s what we might expect if Joe Biden packs the court. Follow the link to Real Clear Politics for a real clear example.

No Penumbras or Emanations for Judge Barrett

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No penumbras or emanations for Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Just the facts of the constitution, ma’am:

A judge must apply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers, and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they may hold.

Amy Coney Barrett remarks after her SCOTU nomination by President Trump

She clerked for Justice Scalia but she’ll be filling Justice Ginsburg’s seat, if confirmed. While Judge Barrett shares Scalia’s conservative legal philosophy, she also admires the “warm and rich friendship” he shared with the liberal and Notorious RBG.

Nothing off the Table in Supreme Court Battle

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Pelosi’s quiver is full and nothing is off the table according to Chuck Schumer. We’re “going to the mattresses,” says Dan Henninger in the WSJ. Apparently that would include ending the electoral college, the filibuster and packing the Supreme Court.