ADVERTISEMENT

Harris Dodges Question on Court Packing: 'Deal With Later Later'

September 30, 2020

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris (Calif.) would again not directly say whether she would support expanding the Supreme Court Tuesday night.

"We are 35 days away from an election that is probably the most important election of our lifetime and our children's lifetime," she said on CNN. "The Republican leader of the Senate together with Donald Trump are, in the spirit of hypocrisy, trying to push through a nominee while the American people are voting. Joe has been really clear. Let's focus on what's happening right now. Deal with later later."

CNN anchor Jake Tapper said Joe Biden and Harris had not been willing to "give a straight answer" on the issue and noted after Harris's response she had dodged again.

Some Senate Democrats have voiced support for packing the Supreme Court if they take power in 2021 as retaliation for Republicans confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Biden previously opposed court packing but has been noncommittal in recent weeks. At Tuesday night's presidential debate, Biden said he would not answer Trump's question on the subject, leading CBS reporter John Dickerson to call it a "straight-up dodge."

During her failed presidential run last year, Harris said she was "absolutely open to" expanding the Supreme Court.