Amy Coney Barrett, judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Donald Trump to replace the Honorable Ruth Bater Ginsburg, who unfortunately passed away on September 18, 2020.

Her confirmation hearing began on Monday, October 12 and will last four days. At the end of the hearing, the senate will vote on whether to approve Barret to the supreme court or not. Justices do not have term limits, so this decision will be impactful on American law for a number of years.

Barrett, 48, ended her opening remarks by vowing “to faithfully and impartially discharge [her] duties to the American people” as a supreme court justice. 

Barrett graduated from Notre Dame Law School at the top of her class in 1997. After earning her degree, she practiced law and taught at her alma mater. In 2017, President Trump nominated her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Born to a conservative, Christian household in New Orleans, Louisiana, Barrett is known for her religion-based views on many significant issues. If the senate approves her nomination to the Supreme Court, the court would hold a 6-3 Republican majority. 

Abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare, gun ownership, and immigration are hot topics in today’s age of politics, and the Supreme Court is a rather powerful vessel. Knowing Barrett’s stances on these topics, many left leaning Americans are concerned about regressing in terms of rights, equalities, and protections. 

“[Ruth Bater Ginsburg’s] successor, as part of an even more conservative Supreme Court, could have unimaginable power to rapidly undo countless societal advances and put numerous marginalized and oppressed communities in imminent danger,” Guttmacher Institute, a liberal think tank, wrote.

On the other hand, many right learning individuals would like to see the senate confirm Barrett’s nomination due to her previous record and ideologies.

“… given her impressive record, fidelity to the Constitution, and respect for the rule of law…,” The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank commented, “Amy Coney Barrett no doubt would be an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court.”

Stay tuned for more news regarding Barrett and her nomination.