Tim Kaine Profile picture
26 Oct, 6 tweets, 1 min read
At 5am today, I spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court—a process that has shown just how deeply misplaced the priorities of the Senate GOP are in this moment.
We're facing the largest public health crisis in 100 years, the most significant economic collapse since the Great Depression, and the Senate has done nothing to provide relief for 6 months! This is inexcusable.
The GOP Senate majority abandoned their commitment to helping Americans through this emergency on September 18—the day that Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. And since then, rushing Judge Barrett to confirmation has been all that matters to them.
Why rush this Supreme Court nomination? The answer is particularly heartless: The effort to rush the Barrett nomination is driven by the Republican desire to destroy the Affordable Care Act, plain and simple.
The GOP has tried for ten years to destroy the ACA, in the Administration, in Congress, and in the Courts. They even engineered a complete shutdown of the American government in the fall of 2013. But they have failed—and in Judge Barrett, they see one final chance.
Put simply: Winning their fight against health care matters more to the GOP than helping the millions who are suffering during this crisis. This is a soulless process of calculated cruelty, and I will not take part.

I oppose the nomination of Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court.

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More from @timkaine

29 Jun
30 American servicemembers—including Virginians—were killed in Afghanistan in 2019 and 2020.
Now we’re hearing reports that Russia was paying bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill Americans. And the White House reportedly knew, holding meetings about the explosive charge in March of this year.
Trump and his team are in panic mode. Trump suggests the report is a hoax. White House staff doesn’t deny the existence of the intelligence, but says Trump was never briefed on it. But the Administration reportedly did tell the British—so that British troops could be protected!
Read 5 tweets
25 Jan
As a lawyer, I had cases in every court from the Richmond traffic court to the U.S. Supreme Court. I know courtrooms front, back, and center. And now I'm a juror for the first time in my life. I want to share some thoughts after the first few days of this impeachment trial:
As jurors we're grappling with 3 questions:

1. What are the facts?
2. Do the facts establish either or both of the articles of impeachment?
3. If they do, did they establish them at such a level—a high crime or misdemeanor—to warrant removal of the President from office?
I’ve taken an oath to do impartial justice and I’m going to keep an open mind until the proceedings are done. But I'm disappointed that my colleagues have yet to embrace what anyone who’s been in any courtroom understands: you can’t have a trial without witnesses and documents.
Read 6 tweets
4 Oct 18
This so-called “investigation” is a complete sham.
This process was wrapped up in just *5 days,* despite the many witnesses pleading to share relevant information who were ignored by the FBI.
The “report” is available for Senators to review in a secure office but get this—there’s only ONE copy! That means Senators have to sign up for hourlong slots between now and the expected vote. There may not even be time for all 100 of us to read it before our first vote!
Read 5 tweets
7 Sep 18
After meeting with him, reviewing his record, and watching his hearing, Judge Kavanaugh has clearly failed to show he would be an independent check against executive power. He would threaten Supreme Court precedent on women's health, marriage equality, and more.

I will vote no.
Kavanaugh failed to show he'll be an independent check against unlawful action by a President. He would not say whether a President must comply with subpoenas. He would not say whether a President could pardon himself. He would not decry scorched-earth attacks on law enforcement.
Kavanaugh failed to show respect for Supreme Court precedent. Documents from his past reveal he thinks Roe can be overturned. By stating the Court can always overrule “settled law,” we’re left to wonder what all he'd “unsettle” - from the ACA to marriage equality to so much more.
Read 4 tweets
30 Nov 17
If you follow me on here, you probably already know that I think the GOP tax bill is bad news. But it's going to be voted on in the (very) near future, and I need you to speak out loud and clear against it. Here's why: 1/
First, and very importantly: This tax bill very clearly puts large corporations and the wealthiest among us ahead of middle-class families. Full stop. By 2027, we would see a substantial tax hike for the middle class. 2/
And while middle-class families pay more, the top 1% would see an average of $32,510 in tax CUTS. Want to be even more appalled? The top 0.1%—making at least $5.1 *million* a year—would see an average tax cut of $208,060! 3/
Read 9 tweets
5 Oct 17
Budget Cmte is diving into the Trump/GOP #TaxReform plan today & what we’ve seen is bad news for Virginia families…some of my big concerns:
1/ Tax cuts are for the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. 80% of the benefits could go to the top 1%.
2/ We were promised a “middle class miracle.” But from limited details they’ll share, looks like many in middle class could see increases.
Read 8 tweets

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