The Past, Present and Future of Amy Coney Barrett

<p>Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s pick to fill the empty seat on the Supreme Court, is a product of the conservative legal movement of the 1980s. She clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia, a giant of conservative jurisprudence, and his influence is evident throughout her judicial career.</p><p>Opponents of abortion, in particular, are hoping that her accession to the Supreme Court would be a crucial step forward for their movement.</p><p>Her nomination ceremony in the Rose Garden this weekend appeared unremarkable. But it took place just weeks from a presidential election and barely eight days after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.</p><p>Republicans have the votes in the Senate to confirm Judge Barrett and a timetable that suggests that they would be able to do so before Election Day. With her path seemingly clear, we reflect on Judge Barrett’s career and her judicial philosophy.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/adam-liptak" target="_blank">Adam Liptak</a>, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times.</p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">nytimes.com/thedaily </a></p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>In choosing Judge Barrett, President Trump opted for<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/us/politics/amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court.html" target="_blank"> the candidate most likely to thrill his conservative base</a> and outrage his liberal opponents.</li><li>Judge Barrett’s record suggests that she would push the Supreme Court to the right. Here’s a guide to<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/us/amy-coney-barrett-views-abortion-health-care.html" target="_blank"> her stance on abortion, health care, gun rights and the death penalty</a>.</li></ul>