Senator Sullivan will vote ‘Aye’ for Amy Coney Barrett

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Sen. Dan Sullivan voiced his full support for Amy Coney Barrett for the U.S. Supreme Court.

“She clearly understands the separation of powers and federalism, holds a healthy skepticism regarding the expansive power of federal agencies, and is a strong protector and proponent of the Second Amendment—all issues that my constituents care deeply about,” Sullivan said on the Senate floor.

While Sen. Lisa Murkowski has demurred from saying what her position is on the president’s nominee to the high court, Sullivan specifically mentioned Alaska’s rights granted at statehood for access to our land.

“Why are these issues so important to Alaska and central to us realizing our potential? Mr. President, let me give you a brief but recent example of an issue that recently made its way through the Ninth Circuit—which often is the bane of our existence in Alaska—to the Supreme Court, not once, but twice, and was unanimously agreed to by the Supreme Court. In a case that some in the media will be familiar with, Sturgeon vs. Frost—a moose hunter, a hover craft, and the wild Interior of Alaska made for some great headlines. But the issue being litigated in that case was one of control, one of freedom—control of our lands, our waters, our fish and game,” he said.

“The federal government, in essence, told John Sturgeon he couldn’t use his hovercraft on federal waters to go hunting. “Yes, I can,” said Sturgeon. He knew the law. Then there was litigation. It is one that comes up time and again in Alaska. The issue of federal overreach, agency creep. In Alaska, we have a front row [seat] to this problem. We’ve seen it happen to us consistently by the courts, particularly, as I mentioned, the judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. When they interpret statutes involving my state—and there are many federal statutes that only relate to Alaska—in a way that fits with their ideas and policy notions about the way the federal lands in Alaska should be managed. In essence, they typically think that less control by the people and more control by the government is what is needed. But, Mr. President, that often is not what Congress wrote and what Congress intended. It’s the absolute opposite of judicial humility, failing to read the statutes as we, in this body, wrote them. It’s failing to exhibit the kind of textualism that Judge Barrett ascribes to and [that] was so on display during her hearings.”

The vote is scheduled for Monday in the Senate.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Senator Sullivan will have the last laugh when he wins re-election handily. Especially after the Big Money on the left and all the Dem Super PACs outspent him 5 to 1. That’s quite a feat— even for a Marine. Grateful to have an active armed forces officer representing our interests. And he’s historically and constitutionally literate to boot. Thank you for fighting for Alaska, Senator Dan! The ‘other guy who lives in Santa Barbara’ isn’t even worth mentioning by name.

  2. Wrong religion for a lot of folks. Changed the sabbath. Helped fleeing Nazis out of Europe through Spain. Says gay is ok when it says in the bible a man shall not lie with a man.

  3. Sullivan should vote yes, and so should every sitting Senator. After watching the bulk of her testimony in front of the Judiciary committee, it is 100% apparent that (soon to be) Justice Barret will base her opinions on the law and the arguments presented. She will not bring her personal politics, religion, or prejudices into it.

    What more could you possibly want from a Judge or a Supreme Court Justice?

    The people that want to exclude Judge Barret from the SCOTUS because of how they assume she will decide a case are the problem here. Just because you want the SCOTUS to rule your way does not mean they should. And, trying to install Justices who will mold to your personal opinion without regard to what the law says is the problem.

    The main reason why the Supreme Court is such a bid deal is because the politicians have been using it as a way to make law. And, when an actual Justice, who respects and is beholden to the law is appointed, these folks have no choice but to freak out about how horrific the world will be if the SCOTUS does not rule the way they want.

    I encourage everyone to call Sen, Murkowski’s office and tell her that Judge Barret is an outstanding choice for Supreme Court Justice. Not appointing her to the Court is a serious disservice to the US.

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