Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said he plans to vote for Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
The Utah Republican, a Senate swing vote who voted to convict President Trump during his impeachment trial, released a statement Thursday that said Barrett is “exceptionally well qualified to serve on the Supreme Court,” increasing the likelihood she’ll receive the necessary votes to fill the high-court vacancy.
“After meeting with Judge Barrett and carefully reviewing her record and her testimony, I intend to vote in favor of her confirmation to the Supreme Court,” Romney said in a statement. “She is impressive, and her distinguished legal and academic credentials make it clear that she is exceptionally well qualified to serve as our next Supreme Court justice. I am confident that she will faithfully apply the law and our Constitution, impartially and regardless of policy preferences.”
Judge Amy Coney Barrett is exceptionally well qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, and I intend to vote in support of her confirmation. https://t.co/lPjtf6MPDa
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) October 15, 2020
Senate Republicans are pushing forward to confirm Barrett to the Supreme Court before the upcoming election. Republicans control 53 seats in the Senate and would not have room for more than three defections within their party should a nominee be voted on and all Democrats resist the president’s selection. Vice President Mike Pence has the power to break a tied vote.
Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have both stated their opposition to voting on a Supreme Court nominee before the election, which is 19 days away as of Thursday. However, Romney’s approval decreases the likelihood Pence might need to invoke his tie-breaking vote. On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he “has the votes” to confirm Barrett, which would solidify a conservative majority on the high court.
