Austin News

July 30, 2024

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) addressed the Senate floor today, discussing concerns regarding the Biden-Harris administration and Senate Democrats' proposed changes to the Supreme Court. Cornyn expressed apprehension about potential threats to the Court's independence, suggesting these proposals aim to secure more favorable rulings for Democrats.

“In recent years, our Democratic colleagues have floated a litany of institutional changes to try to tilt the balance of power in the Judiciary in their favor,” Cornyn stated.

He further remarked on what he perceives as a strategic shift by his colleagues: “Our colleagues don’t want to keep losing cases in the courtroom, so they’ve adopted a new strategy: If you can’t win the game, change the rules.”

Cornyn cited several specific proposals from his Democratic counterparts, including court-packing with liberal justices, imposing recusal requirements on justices, and withholding security funding. He argued that these measures are attempts to exert control over an independent branch of government.

“It’s not bad enough that President Biden has promoted these radical changes,” Cornyn continued. “But even more concerning that his protégé, Vice President Harris, has fully embraced them.”

Cornyn warned against a potential Harris administration: “A potential Harris administration would stage a full-blown coup to overtake the Supreme Court and eviscerate judicial independence.”

In conclusion, Cornyn asserted that the Biden-Harris proposal is less about democracy or accountability and more about consolidating power: “The Biden-Harris proposal is not about protecting democracy or assuring accountability; it’s about consolidating power and undermining institutions that stand in the way of their agenda.”

He affirmed Republican opposition to such changes: “Republicans will continue to fight to protect the integrity of America’s judicial system, and we will not allow this president, or any president, or any political party to hijack the federal judiciary for their own partisan benefit.”