Welcome to the 18th and 20th Century
Grassley Tees Up Arguments for Slowing Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmation
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and consequently important to confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson as justice to the Supreme Court, put out a statement yesterday regarding the vetting procedure (which, from the outside, looks more like a meet-and-greet that an elementary school teacher might conduct with parents before a full-blown conference, wherein Mrs. Wilbur explains why Johnny’s behavior is too disruptive. . .) that is underway:
“Vetting a nominee for a lifetime appointment to the high court is serious business. The American people rightly expect a full and thorough vetting process. We should not sacrifice the integrity of our constitutional advice and consent responsibility to meet an arbitrary timeline.”
The Court’s next term doesn’t begin until October, so there’s absolutely no need to rush.” (Hat-tip, Punchbowl PM.)
That the Republicans put Amy Coney Barrett in the big chair in 30 days doesn’t seem to be precedent.
But here’s something to think about vis-à-vis the Iowa senator’s position. Grassley said, when opposing Jackson’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, he wasn’t “satisfied” that she “will adhere to the Constitution as originally understood.”
Yes, there is a school of thought of Constitutional originalism. But look at that: “as originally understood.”
How can anyone in the 21st century claim that he can get into the mindset of someone from the 18th century?
Did Grassley ride a horse from Des Moines to Washington? Does he work a pump in order to get water? Does he light his house with whale oil? Does he own more than one pair of breeches?
To claim that one can understand how someone thought in 1788 is, well, disturbing.
—Gary S. Vasilash
Onward to 1955
The Senate passed by unanimous voice vote the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act late Monday to send it to President Biden’s desk for a certainly quick signature (per UPI). The bill makes lynching a federal hate crime.
“After more than 200 failed attempts to outlaw lynching Congress is finally succeeding in taking a long overdue action” by passing the act, says Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “Hallelujah, it’s long overdue.”
—Todd Lassa
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