Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11) was one of 7 New Jersey Democrats (and only 27 nationally) to vote against affording expanded security protection to the families of U.S. Supreme Court justices after a threat on Brett Kavanaugh’s life.
The excuse we’ve heard from the New Jersey Dem dissenters: the bill didn’t go far enough. They want to include all members of the federal judiciary and their families…
As I told you *two days ago,* we voted no because the legislation lacked protections for other federal judges and their families. The murder of my constituent Daniel Anderl was a painful reminder that not enough is being done to protect them. https://t.co/pBmq0ujgSk
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) June 16, 2022
Daniel Anderl is the late son of federal Judge Esther Salas; Anderl was gunned down in 2020 when a madman showed up at the judge’s home in an apparent attempt to assassinate her. Her husband was injured in the assault. ‘Nightmare’ doesn’t begin to describe what this family went through.
Unlike Bonnie Watson Coleman (see above), Sherrill represents a district which could flip this year if a red tsunmai reaches the Garden State’s iconic shoreline. Consequently, she brought the objectively-sympathetic Judge Salas to Capitol Hill this week, and the Media tried to deflect pressure away from Democrats and over to a familiar target, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky:
Thank you to my good friend Judge Esther Salas for coming to Capitol Hill today to advocate for stronger protections for federal judges. I will continue to stand with her in her fight for the safeguards our federal judiciary deserves. pic.twitter.com/y3Z86qhmUi
— Rep. Mikie Sherrill (@RepSherrill) June 16, 2022
Leftists outlets are criticizing Paul for allegedly declining to meet with Salas and his opposition to a bill which would prohibit the release of federal judges’ addresses.
Paul’s explanation: the bill doesn’t go far enough. He wants to include members of Congress.
Sound familiar?
You’re smart, folks. I know that to be the case because you’re here.
How can Democrats like Sherrill and Watson-Coleman complain that one bill doesn’t go far enough as a reason to oppose it while their party criticizes Paul for offering the exact same justification?
Everything is politics in Joe Biden’s Washington, folks, even when people’s lives are literally on the line.
