Justice Amy Coney Barrett (Republican)

Early Life and Education:

• Family Background: Amy Coney Barrett was raised in a devout Catholic family. Her father, Michael Coney, was an attorney for Shell Oil, and her mother, Linda, was a French teacher. She is one of seven children.
• Education: She attended Rhodes College in Tennessee, earning a B.A. in English literature with highest honors in 1994. Barrett then went to Notre Dame Law School, where she was valedictorian of her class, graduating in 1997.

Legal Career:

• Clerkships: Post-law school, Barrett clerked for Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, followed by a clerkship with Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court, significantly influencing her judicial philosophy.
• Academic Career: Barrett joined the faculty at Notre Dame Law School in 2002, where she taught constitutional law, federal courts, and statutory interpretation. She became a full professor in 2010 and continued to teach while serving on the bench.
• Seventh Circuit: In 2017, President Trump nominated her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She was confirmed with bipartisan support, indicating her acceptance by both sides of the political spectrum at that time.

Supreme Court Tenure:

Judicial Philosophy:

• Originalism: Barrett, like her mentor Scalia, is an originalist, believing that the Constitution should be interpreted based on its original public meaning.
• Textualism: She also adheres to textualism, focusing on the text of statutes when interpreting laws, often eschewing legislative history.
• Judicial Restraint: She has expressed views that courts should not legislate from the bench but should apply the law as written.

Notable Actions and Opinions:

• Confirmation Hearing Debates: During her hearings, Barrett faced significant questioning on her views regarding precedents like Roe v. Wade, where she adhered to the doctrine of stare decisis but did not commit to how she would rule, emphasizing the role of precedent.
• First Opinion: Her first authored opinion was in Borden v. United States (2021), where she wrote a dissent in a case concerning the Armed Career Criminal Act.
• Majority Opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) – While not the author, she joined the majority opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively returning the regulation of abortion to the states.
• Concurrence in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen (2022) – She concurred with the decision to strike down a New York law requiring individuals to demonstrate a special need to carry a concealed weapon, emphasizing the historical approach to Second Amendment rights.
• Dissent in United States v. Texas (2023) – Barrett dissented from the majority’s decision to allow Texas to enforce its immigration law, arguing that the state’s action might infringe on federal authority.

Cultural Impact and Public Perception:

• Religious Beliefs: Her affiliation with the People of Praise, a Christian community, and her Catholic faith have been points of discussion, though she has maintained that her personal beliefs do not dictate her legal decisions.
• Judicial Independence: Although appointed by a Republican president, Barrett has demonstrated some independence, notably in her separate opinions where she has criticized overly broad rulings or the majority’s methodology.
• Public Engagement: She has engaged with the public through various speeches and writings, often discussing judicial restraint and the role of the courts.

Legacy and Influence:

• Impact on the Court: As one of the more recent appointees, Barrett’s influence on the Court’s conservative direction, particularly in constitutional law, is significant. Her approach to cases like abortion, gun rights, and religious liberty could shape jurisprudence for years to come.
• Judicial Style: Her written opinions are noted for their clarity and thoroughness, reflecting her academic background.
• Role as a Woman and Mother: Being a mother of seven, including two adopted children from Haiti, she brings a unique perspective to the Court, potentially influencing her views on family law and related issues.
• Future Implications: Given her age at appointment, Justice Barrett’s tenure could be quite long, and her influence on legal doctrine, especially through her originalist and textualist lens, will likely be studied for decades.