Sen. Cruz predicts Democrats will turn Supreme Court hearings into ‘political circus’

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) -Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas hopes the Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett will be more civil than the one for Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

“I hope we don’t see senate Democrats turning it into a political circus like they did with Justice Kavanaugh,” Cruz said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I hope we don’t see the kind of personal smears–smears directed at her family, directed at her faith.”

Democrats have raised concerns about having the Senate Judiciary Committee meet after two members of the panel tested positive for COVID-19.   Republican Sen. Mike Lee from Utah and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis from North Carolina tested positive for the virus after attending the White House Supreme Court nomination ceremony for Judge Barrett.  Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Amy Klobuchar introduced a resolution that would ban senators from committees or the floor unless they have tested negative for the virus.

Cruz calls that move a delay tactic.

“I think we’re going to see, by the way, some more procedural games and shenanigans,” said Cruz.

He remains confident that Barrett will be confirmed soon.

“I believe we have the votes and I believe Judge Barrett, on the merits,  is going to be confirmed by the end of the month before election day,” said Cruz.

As members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Cruz and Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas will question Barrett.

“She has an unquestionable character, a brilliant mind and the kind of temperament needed to serve on the court and I’m eager for the American people to see that for themselves as we begin the public confirmation process,” Cornyn recently said on the Senate floor.

Republicans supporting Barrett’s nomination have been criticized for rushing the Supreme Court nomination process instead of waiting until after the election.   In 2016, also a presidential election year, Republicans stalled the nomination by then-President Barrack Obama of Judge Merrick Garland following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.  Garland did not get a hearing and President Trump filled the seat after his election.