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NCBA on Barrett confirmation and implications on agriculture

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court could impact cattle producers.

NCBA Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart says Justice Barrett’s position will be important as three rules potentially reach the Supreme Court.

“The first one is the Trump administrations rewrite of the WOTUS definition,” she says. “…We’re also watching and NCBA is participating in litigation to defend new rules implementing the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act,” she says.

Hart tells Brownfield there is not a lot in Barrett’s opinion history that sheds light on her judicial philosophy, but her grounding in former boss Justice Scalia will be important going forward.

“I do think that will be a very important role that she plays on the court is carrying that Scalia mindset into the 2020s,” she says.

Hart says Barrett brings some geographical diversity to the Supreme Court with her Midwestern roots. 

The Supreme Court now has a 6-3 conservative majority.