Oklahoma officials react to Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation

 The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the U.S. Supreme Court's newest associate Justice yesterday evening, by a vote of 52 to 48. Following her confirmation, she was sworn in at a special ceremony at the White House by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, with President Donald Trump and Barrett's husband looking on.

Here are statements from both of Oklahoma's U.S. Senators, all 4 Republican U.S. House members, and Attorney General Mike Hunter:

Lankford Supports Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on his support for Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Judge Barrett was confirmed by the Senate in a vote of 52-48.

“I congratulate Judge Amy Coney Barrett and her family on her confirmation to the United States Supreme Court,” said Lankford. “Throughout her nomination process, Judge Barrett’s qualifications to serve on the Supreme Court were made abundantly clear. She received the American Bar Association’s highest rating and was unwavering in her commitment to the rule of law and role of the judiciary. I took the time to review her qualifications, understand her judicial philosophy, and learn more about who she is as an individual. Judge Barrett is a jurist, a scholar, a mother, a wife, a mentor, and a great example for young women and legal minds in our nation. She understands that there is no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democrat judge, but independent jurists who are separate from the political branches of our government. She is committed to being a fair justice who will uphold and follow the law, not her personal preference.

“After being nominated to the Supreme Court, Judge Barrett and her family faced unwarranted criticism about their faith and family structure. We are a nation that cherishes the free exercise of religion. Article VI of the Constitution makes it clear that no religious test is ever required to serve in any public office. The Senate vets nominees based on their qualifications and temperament, not on their sincerely held religious beliefs. As we move forward, I hope our nation and the Senate continue to honor Article VI and refrain from imposing a religious test on any nominee for any public office.

“Judge Barrett is active in her community and is a dedicated wife and mother to seven children. In her opening statements during her hearing, she shared that she is used to being in a group of nine: her family. As she begins this chapter in a new group of nine, I’m confident she will serve Americans well in our nation’s highest court.”

Earlier today, Lankford spoke on the Senate floor to against Democrats’ smear campaign of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Last week, Lankford met with Judge Barrett to discuss religious liberty, anti-trust laws, and a variety of other issues. Lankford expressed support for President Trump’s nomination of Judge Barrett on September 26 after previously supporting her nomination to fill a vacancy on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017. After the partisan attacks against Judge Barrett’s devout Catholic faith reignited in the media, Lankford spoke on the Senate floor on September 30 in support of Judge Barrett’s ability to practice her faith and serve as a highly qualified member of the Judicial Branch. Lankford also joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) to publish an op-ed on October 20 in support of Judge Barrett’s nomination.

Inhofe Votes to Confirm Judge Barrett to Supreme Court

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Barrett was confirmed by a vote of 52-48.

View and download Sen. Inhofe’s reaction video here.

“It was an honor to vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett today to the Supreme Court,” Inhofe said. “Time and time again, Judge Barrett has shown her commitment to upholding the rule of law and Constitution throughout her career. I know she will continue to make the American people proud of her service as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.”

Hern applauds confirmation of Amy Coney Barret to the Supreme Court

TULSA, OK – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court tonight.

“I join millions of Americans in celebration tonight following the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett,” said Rep. Hern. “In a field of impressive and qualified people, Barrett stands out for her intelligence, strength of character, and spotless reputation – all while raising seven children. A strict constitutionalist, she has vowed to uphold our laws and protect our Constitution. She is entirely deserving of her new position on our highest court. Congratulations to the Barrett family!”

Mullin Statement on Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett

Washington, October 26, 2020 | Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) released the following statement after Judge Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed by the Senate to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

“Judge Barrett is exceptionally well-qualified and a great choice by President Trump to serve on the highest court in the land,” Mullin said. “She is dedicated to upholding the Constitution as written, not legislating from the bench, and protecting our fundamental rights. Congratulations to Judge Barrett on her confirmation to the United States Supreme Court.”

Lucas Applauds Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett

Cheyenne, OK – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 52-48 to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States:

“I applaud the United States Senate for confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. During her time as a federal judge, Judge Barrett was a principled, intelligent, and steadfast jurist of the rule of law- and during the confirmation process she assured the American people she’d remain a strong protector of the U.S. Constitution and the laws of our great Nation,” said Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03). “I thank Oklahoma’s Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford for their leadership throughout this process and for their vote confirming the U.S. Supreme Court’s fifth female justice. This is truly a historic moment for the U.S. Supreme Court- congratulations Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett.”

Cole Applauds Senate Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the United States Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States.

“Amy Coney Barrett will make a fantastic Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States, and I am delighted that the Senate confirmed her nomination. Not only is she immensely qualified when you look at her educational and career credentials alone, but her confirmation hearings proved to everyone watching that she is incredibly sharp and knowledgeable. I applaud President Trump for nominating such a brilliant person and great American to serve on the highest court in the land. As she has done throughout her impressive career, Associate Justice Barrett will indeed be an ardent defender of the Constitution when she assumes her seat on the bench of the Supreme Court.”

Attorney General Hunter Comments on U.S. Senate Confirming Justice Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

“Justice Amy Coney Barrett has the intellect, temperament and credentials to serve on the nation’s highest court. She is a constitutional scholar who brings her brilliant legal mind and disciplined judicial philosophy to the court. Justice Barrett will safeguard the Constitution and uphold the rule of law. She has an unparalleled record of applying the law as written, which will distinguish her lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. I applaud the members of the U.S. Senate who voted to confirm her appointment.”