Tester Statement on Supreme Court Vote

U.S. Senator Jon Tester released the following statement on the procedural vote to begin debate on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett:

“Montanans are already voting in this election, and I believe it is deeply irresponsible to ram a partisan nomination through in the final days before polls close—a precedent my Republican colleagues established four years ago and are breaking now. With health coverage for 120 million Americans with pre-existing conditions soon to be decided by the Court, I cannot support Judge Barrett’s nomination because I do not believe we should be confirming a Supreme Court Justice, no matter who that is, before the American people have a chance to make their voices heard.”

Senator Tester repeatedly requested a meeting with Judge Barrett before making his decision on her nomination. This meeting is customarily offered to all Senators. The White House did not make Barrett available for a phone call or meeting with Senator Tester.