Watch: Rep. Elise Stefanik Schools Opponent on Court Packing

Reagan McCarthy | October 22, 2020 9:00 AM

In the final general election debate before voters head to the polls, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) torched her Democrat challenger, Tedra Cobb, on potential for court packing. Cobb previously dodged questions about expanding the size of the Supreme Court, and told debate moderators that she would “maybe” consider supporting court packing if the Senate confirms Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the high court.

“The honest answer to that [court packing] is maybe. I don’t want to do that. It is legal and it is constitutional, but I don’t want to do that,” Cobb said. “Unfortunately, right now in Washington, Mitch McConnell, this Administration and enablers like Elise Stefanik have pushed through this nomination...so no, I don’t want to do that, but the answer is maybe.”

Rep. Stefanik did her proper homework, and reminded voters that earlier this week, Cobb failed to realize that she would be compelled to vote on court packing legislation if elected to the House of Representatives. The New York congresswoman took Cobb to school on the constitutionality of filling Supreme Court vacancies, and made her stance on court packing clear.

“When it comes to the constitutional duty to fill and nominate an individual to the Supreme Court, I support the president’s right to put forth a name and I support the Senate’s position to advise and consent,” Rep. Stefanik said. “My opponent should answer that question for North Country voters. I would vote no on efforts to pack the court.”