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Amy Coney Barrett: Senate opens hearing into Trump Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett: Democrats attack 'shameful' Supreme Court hearing
(32 minutes later)
Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, is appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for four days of contentious confirmation hearings. President Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, is appearing before senators in what has been billed as a "contentious week" of confirmation hearings.
The 48-year-old conservative jurist has vowed to judge legal cases impartially.The 48-year-old conservative jurist has vowed to judge legal cases impartially.
But her nomination so close to the 3 November presidential election has sparked a political row between the Republicans and rival Democrats.But her nomination so close to the 3 November presidential election has sparked a political row between the Republicans and rival Democrats.
Judge Barrett's approval would cement a conservative majority on the top court. The panel's top Republican began by vowing to confirm the "great woman".
Conservative-leaning justices would then hold a 6-3 majority, shifting its ideological balance for potentially decades to come. But one Democratic senator on the committee described the process as "shameful".
Judge Barrett's approval would cement a 6-3 conservative majority on the nine-member top court, shifting its ideological balance for potentially decades to come.
President Trump picked Judge Barrett to replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month aged 87.President Trump picked Judge Barrett to replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month aged 87.
The Republicans - who currently hold a slim majority in the US Senate, the body that confirms Supreme Court judges - are now trying to complete the process before Mr Trump takes on Democratic rival Joe Biden in the election. The Republicans - who currently hold a slim majority in the US Senate, the body that confirms Supreme Court judges - are trying to complete the process before Mr Trump takes on Democratic rival Joe Biden in the election.
Who is Amy Coney Barrett?Who is Amy Coney Barrett?
Read more: Who is Trump's Supreme Court pick?Read more: Who is Trump's Supreme Court pick?
The court's nine justices serve lifetime appointments, and their rulings can shape public policy on everything from gun and voting rights to abortion and campaign finance.The court's nine justices serve lifetime appointments, and their rulings can shape public policy on everything from gun and voting rights to abortion and campaign finance.
Democrats fear Judge Barrett's successful nomination would favour Republicans in politically sensitive cases that reach the Supreme Court. What were the opening exchanges?
In his opening statement, committee Chairman Lindsey Graham described Ms Barrett as being "in a category of excellence, something the country should be proud of", but predicted "a long contentious week" of hearings. Committee chairman Lindsey Graham described Ms Barrett as being "in a category of excellence, something the country should be proud of".
The committee's top Democrat Dianne Feinstein opened her remarks defending healthcare reforms passed under President Barack Obama, saying that Ms Barrett's appointment could threaten health access for millions. Top Democrat Dianne Feinstein defended healthcare reforms passed under President Barack Obama, saying that Ms Barrett's appointment could threaten health access for millions.
"Simply put, I do not think we should be moving forward on this nomination," she said, calling for the hearings to be delayed until after the election."Simply put, I do not think we should be moving forward on this nomination," she said, calling for the hearings to be delayed until after the election.
What will Judge Barrett say in her opening remarks? Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy said Republicans announced plans to fill Ginsberg's seat "just one hour after the announcement of her death".
"From that moment this process has been nothing but shameful. Worse, it will almost certainly lead to disastrous consequences for Americans."
Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley predicted Democrats would "rustle up baseless claims and scare tactics" to smear the nominee and "outright disparage her religious beliefs".
What will Judge Barrett say in her speech?
In what is effectively an interview for the job, the confirmation hearing will give Judge Barrett a chance to explain her legal philosophy and qualifications for the lifetime post.In what is effectively an interview for the job, the confirmation hearing will give Judge Barrett a chance to explain her legal philosophy and qualifications for the lifetime post.
In prepared remarks released ahead of Monday's meeting, Judge Barrett thanks President Trump for "entrusting me with this profound responsibility", which she calls the "honour of a lifetime". In prepared remarks released ahead of Monday's meeting, she thanks President Trump for "entrusting me with this profound responsibility", which she calls the "honour of a lifetime".
In the speech, Judge Barrett will speak of the importance of her family and how her parents prepared her for a "life of service, principle, faith, and love". Judge Barrett will speak of the importance of her family and how her parents prepared her for a "life of service, principle, faith, and love".
Judge Barrett will pay tribute to judges she has worked with, including former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. She will pay tribute to judges she has worked with, including former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Justice Scalia's reasoning "shaped me", Judge Barrett will say. "His judicial philosophy was straightforward: A judge must apply the law as written, not as the judge wishes it were." Justice Scalia's reasoning "shaped me", Judge Barrett will say.
Judge Barrett will say she has "resolved to maintain that same perspective" in her legal career. "His judicial philosophy was straightforward: A judge must apply the law as written, not as the judge wishes it were."
It is up to elected politicians to make "policy decisions and value judgments", not Supreme Court justices, Judge Barrett will say. Judge Barrett will say it is up to elected politicians to make "policy decisions and value judgments", not Supreme Court justices.
"In every case, I have carefully considered the arguments presented by the parties, discussed the issues with my colleagues on the court, and done my utmost to reach the result required by the law, whatever my own preferences might be," she will say."In every case, I have carefully considered the arguments presented by the parties, discussed the issues with my colleagues on the court, and done my utmost to reach the result required by the law, whatever my own preferences might be," she will say.
"When I write an opinion resolving a case, I read every word from the perspective of the losing party. I ask myself how would I view the decision if one of my children was the party I was ruling against." Republicans confident amid political brawl
Supreme Court confirmation hearings are always high political drama. With a presidential election just three weeks away and the coronavirus pandemic still upending American life, however, the current environment in the US Senate Judiciary Committee is particularly volatile.
During opening remarks, Democrats demonstrated that they want Amy Coney Barrett's hearings to be about the Republican rush to seat a new justice before the elections and the possibility that she could be a deciding vote to strike down the increasingly popular healthcare reforms passed under Democratic President Barack Obama.
To drive this point home, aides placed photos of Americans who have benefited from "Obamacare" on easels around the room as the Democratic senators began speaking.
Democrats are avoiding the divisive topic of abortion, which motivates political adversaries as much as it rallies allies, for what they feel is more favourable political ground.
Republicans, for their part, want these confirmation hearings to be business as usual. They know it will be a partisan brawl, but they've already won two Supreme Court confirmation fights during Donald Trump's presidency.
The circumstances may be unusual, but if they stick together - and focus on Judge Barrett's professional and personal qualifications - they feel confident they can prevail.
Read more: Anthony's full analysis
What about coronavirus concerns?What about coronavirus concerns?
The hearing room has been prepared in consultation with health officials to ensure that social-distancing rules will be met.The hearing room has been prepared in consultation with health officials to ensure that social-distancing rules will be met.
Two Republican senators on the committee, Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, have recently tested positive. Mr Lee attended Monday's Senate hearing in person, but Mr Tillis said he would attend the first day remotely.Two Republican senators on the committee, Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, have recently tested positive. Mr Lee attended Monday's Senate hearing in person, but Mr Tillis said he would attend the first day remotely.
Senator Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee who is known as one of the toughest questioners in the chamber, has said she will participate remotely from her Senate office..Senator Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee who is known as one of the toughest questioners in the chamber, has said she will participate remotely from her Senate office..
Judge Barrett and her attending family members wore masks as the senators took turns reading their opening statements.Judge Barrett and her attending family members wore masks as the senators took turns reading their opening statements.
What's the confirmation process?What's the confirmation process?
After the hearing ends, any committee member can require an additional week before the formal vote. It is not clear if the members will be able to vote remotely.After the hearing ends, any committee member can require an additional week before the formal vote. It is not clear if the members will be able to vote remotely.
After that the Senate - the upper chamber of the US Congress - will vote to confirm or reject Judge Barrett's nomination.After that the Senate - the upper chamber of the US Congress - will vote to confirm or reject Judge Barrett's nomination.
Republicans already appear to have the 51 votes needed to get Judge Barrett confirmed.Republicans already appear to have the 51 votes needed to get Judge Barrett confirmed.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to hold a confirmation vote before the presidential election.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to hold a confirmation vote before the presidential election.
Barring a surprise, Democrats seem to have few procedural options to prevent her gliding through the Senate to the Supreme Court bench.Barring a surprise, Democrats seem to have few procedural options to prevent her gliding through the Senate to the Supreme Court bench.
Conservatives see chance to turn legal tide
The shifting ideological balance of the court will have an impact in all areas of American life and across the US - perhaps in no place more than Texas.
While the political row over Trump's appointment is taking place in Washington DC, some of the biggest legal fights that have made it to the Supreme Court in recent years have come out of Texas.
The state, which made a habit of pushing the boundaries of conservative law and causes, didn't always win those high-profile cases. On anti-sodomy law, voting rights, the death penalty and, most recently, abortion, it was often on the short end of the judicial stick, many times by narrow, 5-to-4 decisions.
With Justice Ginsburg gone and Judge Barrett poised to take a seat on the court, however, conservatives in Texas are optimistic that the legal tide may be turning.
Read more: Anthony's full analysis on the Supreme Court battle
Why is Judge Barrett's nomination so controversial?Why is Judge Barrett's nomination so controversial?
Since Ginsburg's death from cancer on 18 September, Republican senators have been accused of hypocrisy for pressing ahead with a Supreme Court nomination during an election year.Since Ginsburg's death from cancer on 18 September, Republican senators have been accused of hypocrisy for pressing ahead with a Supreme Court nomination during an election year.
In 2016, Mr McConnell refused to hold hearings for Democratic President Barack Obama's nominee for the court, Merrick Garland.In 2016, Mr McConnell refused to hold hearings for Democratic President Barack Obama's nominee for the court, Merrick Garland.
The nomination, which came 237 days before the election, was successfully blocked because Republicans held the Senate and argued the decision should be made outside of an election year.The nomination, which came 237 days before the election, was successfully blocked because Republicans held the Senate and argued the decision should be made outside of an election year.
This time around, Mr McConnell has lauded Judge Barrett's nomination, saying the president "could not have made a better decision". This time around, Mr McConnell has lauded Judge Barrett's nomination.
Democrats say the Republicans should stand by their earlier position and let voters decide. However, Republicans counter that the Democrats have also changed their stance since 2016.Democrats say the Republicans should stand by their earlier position and let voters decide. However, Republicans counter that the Democrats have also changed their stance since 2016.
Mr Biden has called Mr Trump's efforts to appoint a justice an "abuse of power".Mr Biden has called Mr Trump's efforts to appoint a justice an "abuse of power".
He has so far refused to comment on whether the Democrats would attempt to add seats to the Supreme Court - dubbed "court packing" - if he won the presidential election.He has so far refused to comment on whether the Democrats would attempt to add seats to the Supreme Court - dubbed "court packing" - if he won the presidential election.
Democrats have said that if she is appointed to the high court, Judge Barrett should not take part in any cases involving the outcome of the presidential election and an upcoming challenge to a health law known as Obamacare.
They argue that, because she was nominated by President Trump during an election campaign, it would not be ethical for her to make a judgement on such cases.
But Republican leaders have rejected pleas to delay the hearing.
Battle over Supreme CourtBattle over Supreme Court