On Thursday night U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell lauded U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a “legal titan” specifically remarking on abortion-related cases that have come before the high court.
The event was hosted by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group, and the remarks are sizing up to be significant as the Supreme Court is being asked to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision from the U.S. Supreme Court protecting a woman’s right to choose.
The Court will hear arguments Dec. 1 on a Missippi law that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, essentially a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. McConnell, R-Kentucky, told the crowd Thursday that Thomas has been unwavering in his views on the issue of abortion.
“Every time without fail, Justice Thomas writes a separate, concise opinion to cut through the 50-year tangle of made-up tests and shifting standards and calmly reminds everybody that the whole house of cards lacks a constitutional foundation,” McConnell said to long applause from the crowd.
Watch a video of the remark at this link.
Justice Thomas also spoke at the event honoring him for his three decades of service. Thomas also lauded the most powerful Republican in the nation at the event.
“I’d like to thank Sen. McConnell, not only for the work he has done… but just being the gentleman he is and the courage he has shown over the years, and also for his friendship,” Thomas said of McConnell on Thursday night.
“The only difficulties we have is that Louisville’s volleyball team walked into Lincoln and swept my Cornhuskers.”
In September a Gallup poll showed approval of the U.S. Supreme Court dropped to 40 percent, a new low. The previous low was set in 2005 at 42 percent approval.
McConnell’s legacy has been the years spent remaking the federal judiciary and ensuring conservatives hold influence in the Supreme Court.
