The time has come for SpeakerPelosi and LeaderHoyer to make their decision, writes JSweetIII. 'Safety for our nation’s highest judicial officers should not be a bargaining chip for policy negotiations.'
Sens. John Cornyn and Chris Coons introduced the Supreme Court Police Parity Act of 2022 on May 5, 2022, and it passed with unanimous consent on May 9. The bill extends existing security protocols to the immediate family members of Supreme Court justices.
Amending the current piece of legislation or introducing a new one altogether should not take one month. The original text is just two pages, and expanding protections to clerks and other employees should only be a few sentences. Despite the perceptive ease of creating a more expansive bill, House Democrats continue to drag their feet.
Expanding security to clerks is clearly a point of contention for House Democrats, but the issue is being treated as a secondary priority. The arrest of a man attempting to assassinate Justice Kavanaugh requires House Democrats to take immediate action. Anything short of immediate passage is a failure to do their duty.
What do House Democrats have to lose by waiting? The bill that exists before them today has nothing objectionable in it, and even House Democrats agree. If something needs to be added to the bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer can either quickly amend the current bill or pass it while negotiations continue for a provision covering clerks. The week should not end with no progress made on the Supreme Court Police Parity Act.