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Dem Rep Refuses to Support Court-Packing: 'I'm a Traditionalist'

October 21, 2020

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D., Mich.) on Wednesday refused to support Senate Democrats' renewed push to pack the Supreme Court.

"I'm a traditionalist," Dingell said after a long pause and some prodding from Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto to give an answer.

"That's a very fundamental change in our third branch of government," she added. "Both parties need to understand what the implications would be."

Senate Democrats have implied or stated openness to adding seats to the Supreme Court after Republicans moved ahead with confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court before Election Day. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said last week his decision on court packing hinges on how Senate Republicans "handle" Barrett's confirmation. And two potential members of his administration also approved of the controversial tactic in comments on Sunday.

Dingell added that she wasn't "happy" with the speed of Barrett's confirmation in the Senate.

Many Senate Democrats have also tried to bolster their court-packing effort by redefining the term, claiming Republicans have already been engaged in the practice for years. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) argued last week that Republicans engaged in court packing by filling vacancies on the Supreme Court and other federal courts.