Dr. Joyce Applauds Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett

Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a qualified jurist and principled originalist who has a proven record of upholding the U.S. Constitution. The role of the U.S. Supreme Court is not to legislate, but rather to interpret the law. I encourage my colleagues to dispense with perpetrating personal attacks on the nominee and evaluate the jurist on the merit of her qualifications. Additionally, I urge the Senate to follow historical precedent and ensure that this nominee receives just consideration."

Historically, U.S. presidents from George Washington to Abraham Lincoln to Dwight Eisenhower have nominated Supreme Court justices during a presidential election year 29 different times. Throughout American history, when the president's party controls the Senate, the legislative body can and has filled a Supreme Court vacancy at any time during the year.

Earlier this week, Dr. Joyce and members of Pennsylvania Republican Congressional delegation urged Senator Bob Casey to stand by his previous stance of supporting a Senate vote on a Supreme Court nominee during a presidential election year. Read their letter here.

###