Lee, Romney praise Barrett during remarks on Senate floor

WASHINGTON — In a speech on the Senate floor Monday morning, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney expressed his support for the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

"She's exceptionally intelligent, academically astute and impeccably credentialed. She has a record of sound opinions and temperament as a judge on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Her life experiences provide her with valuable perspective and evident wisdom. Perhaps most important she is a woman of unquestionable character and integrity, the presence of which is essential to our nation as a confidence in the court itself is in the balance," Sen. Romney said, in part.

Romney also used his time to address his concern about the "division and contempt for others that is growing among many of our citizens." He said many of America's citizens have a declining trust in institutions including churches, schools, governments, the press, corporations, markets and the justice system.

"Absent public confidence in these institutions, a democratic republic will not thrive, or perhaps endure," Romney said.

The US Supreme Court, he said, is one of the few institutions in which a majority of Americans retain confidence.

"That's why Judge Barrett's integrity, wisdom and commitment to the rule of law is so important. She will be critical to the preservation of the public's perception of the legitimacy of the court," he said.

Watch his full speech here:

Sen. Mike Lee also praised the nominee in his remarks.

"Judge Barrett understands that lawmaking by unelected judges is inconsistent with the Constitution and usurps the prerogatives of the legislative branch," the senator tweeted, along with video of his full speech. "She will be a justice whose approach to the law – abstaining from policy-making from the bench, deferring to Congress and the states – will ease divisions and allow the Federalism envisioned by our Founders to serve the needs of our pluralistic society."

With just eight days until election day and despite attempts at parliamentary roadblocks by Democrats, Senate Republicans are expected to easily confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Monday.

Watch FOX 13 for updates.