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Amy Coney Barrett supreme court nomination hearings begin in Washington – live Amy Coney Barrett supreme court nomination hearings begin in Washington – live
(31 minutes later)
Barrett to deliver opening statement on first of four days of hearings before Senate judiciary committeeBarrett to deliver opening statement on first of four days of hearings before Senate judiciary committee
Cory Booker denounced Republicans’ decision to move forward with Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing while voting is already underway.
“Donald Trump and most of my Senate Republican colleagues know the truth: They won’t be able to get away with this after the American people have spoken in this election,” the New Jersey Democrat said.
Booker argued Republicans’ efforts to advance Barrett’s nomination show they “don’t trust the American people.”
In her opening statement, Joni Ernst accused Democrats of attacking Amy Coney Barrett “as a mom and a woman of faith.”
But so far, only Republicans have mentioned Barrett’s Catholic faith.
Instead, Democrats on the Senate judiciary committee have focused their opening statements on warning Barrett’s confirmation to the supreme court could threaten the Affordable Care Act.
Ernst is facing a difficult reelection in Iowa, and a recent poll showed the Republican incumbent trailing Democrat Theresa Greenfield by 4 points.
Some Republicans on the Senate judiciary committee, including Josh Hawley, have used their opening statements to accuse Democrats of attacking Amy Coney Barrett for her Catholic faith.Some Republicans on the Senate judiciary committee, including Josh Hawley, have used their opening statements to accuse Democrats of attacking Amy Coney Barrett for her Catholic faith.
But none of the Senate Democrats who have delivered opening statements so far have directly mentioned Barrett’s faith.But none of the Senate Democrats who have delivered opening statements so far have directly mentioned Barrett’s faith.
A spokesperson for Joe Biden accused Republicans of hypocrisy, noting the Democratic nominee would be only the second Catholic president in US history if elected next month.A spokesperson for Joe Biden accused Republicans of hypocrisy, noting the Democratic nominee would be only the second Catholic president in US history if elected next month.
“Where were these Republican senators when Trump outrageously attacked Biden’s faith, saying he’d ‘hurt God?’” Andrew Bates said in a tweet.“Where were these Republican senators when Trump outrageously attacked Biden’s faith, saying he’d ‘hurt God?’” Andrew Bates said in a tweet.
The president said during an August campaign event that Biden would “take away your guns, destroy your second amendment. No religion, no anything, hurt the Bible, hurt God.”The president said during an August campaign event that Biden would “take away your guns, destroy your second amendment. No religion, no anything, hurt the Bible, hurt God.”
Trump added of Biden, “He’s against God, he’s against guns, he’s against energy, our kind of energy.”Trump added of Biden, “He’s against God, he’s against guns, he’s against energy, our kind of energy.”
The first day of Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings has now resumed, with Democrat Mazie Hirono delivering her opening statement.The first day of Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings has now resumed, with Democrat Mazie Hirono delivering her opening statement.
Once every member of the Senate judiciary committee has had the chance to deliver a statement, Barrett will speak for the first time today.Once every member of the Senate judiciary committee has had the chance to deliver a statement, Barrett will speak for the first time today.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows refused to speak to reporters while wearing a mask.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows refused to speak to reporters while wearing a mask.
Meadows pulled a microphone toward him to speak to reporters on Capitol Hill and then began to remove his mask from his face.Meadows pulled a microphone toward him to speak to reporters on Capitol Hill and then began to remove his mask from his face.
When a reporter insisted he keep his mask on, he said he was more than 10 feet away. After the reporter objected, Meadows turned to leave, saying, “I’m not going to talk through a mask.”When a reporter insisted he keep his mask on, he said he was more than 10 feet away. After the reporter objected, Meadows turned to leave, saying, “I’m not going to talk through a mask.”
In recent days, Meadows has been around several people who have tested positive for coronavirus, including the president. He has said he has repeatedly tested negative for the virus.In recent days, Meadows has been around several people who have tested positive for coronavirus, including the president. He has said he has repeatedly tested negative for the virus.
During the break in Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing, Trump urged Republicans to push their own healthcare agenda in their opening statements.During the break in Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing, Trump urged Republicans to push their own healthcare agenda in their opening statements.
“We will have Healthcare which is FAR BETTER than ObamaCare, at a FAR LOWER COST,” Trump said in a tweet. “PEOPLE WITH PRE EXISTING CONDITIONS WILL BE PROTECTED AT AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL THAN NOW.”“We will have Healthcare which is FAR BETTER than ObamaCare, at a FAR LOWER COST,” Trump said in a tweet. “PEOPLE WITH PRE EXISTING CONDITIONS WILL BE PROTECTED AT AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL THAN NOW.”
Trump said in a separate tweet, “Republicans must state loudly and clearly that WE are going to provide much better Healthcare at a much lower cost.”Trump said in a separate tweet, “Republicans must state loudly and clearly that WE are going to provide much better Healthcare at a much lower cost.”
In reality, the Trump administration is supporting a lawsuit currently before the supreme court challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, which could jeopardize protections for those with preexisting conditions.In reality, the Trump administration is supporting a lawsuit currently before the supreme court challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, which could jeopardize protections for those with preexisting conditions.
The president has said he wants to protect those with preexisting conditions, but he has not laid out a substantive plan to do so.The president has said he wants to protect those with preexisting conditions, but he has not laid out a substantive plan to do so.
Democrats have used their opening statements during Barrett’s hearing to warn that her confirmation to the supreme court could threaten healthcare for millions of Americans.Democrats have used their opening statements during Barrett’s hearing to warn that her confirmation to the supreme court could threaten healthcare for millions of Americans.
We have reached the first break in Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing before the Senate judiciary committee.We have reached the first break in Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing before the Senate judiciary committee.
The hearing is scheduled to reconvene in about 35 minutes, when more members of the committee will deliver their opening statements.The hearing is scheduled to reconvene in about 35 minutes, when more members of the committee will deliver their opening statements.
Barrett will deliver her own opening statement once every committee member has had the chance to speak.Barrett will deliver her own opening statement once every committee member has had the chance to speak.
At Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing, Republican Josh Hawley accused his Democratic colleague, Chris Coons, of attacking the nominee’s Catholic faith by mentioning Griswold v Connecticut.At Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing, Republican Josh Hawley accused his Democratic colleague, Chris Coons, of attacking the nominee’s Catholic faith by mentioning Griswold v Connecticut.
That landmark 1965 supreme court case affirmed that the Constitution protects the right of married couples to use contraceptives, and it was cited as a basis for Roe v Wade, which established women’s right to abortion access.That landmark 1965 supreme court case affirmed that the Constitution protects the right of married couples to use contraceptives, and it was cited as a basis for Roe v Wade, which established women’s right to abortion access.
Trump’s reelection campaign manager is back in the office, 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus.Trump’s reelection campaign manager is back in the office, 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus.
Bill Stepien told reporters that he was back in the office during a press call this morning, saying the move was in compliance with CDC guidelines because it had been at least 10 days since his positive test result.Bill Stepien told reporters that he was back in the office during a press call this morning, saying the move was in compliance with CDC guidelines because it had been at least 10 days since his positive test result.
Stepien was one of several Trump campaign officials who attended the president’s debate prep sessions and later tested positive for coronavirus.Stepien was one of several Trump campaign officials who attended the president’s debate prep sessions and later tested positive for coronavirus.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
There were long lines in Georgia on Monday as voters flocked to the polls for the first day of early voting in the state, which has developed a national reputation in recent years for voting issues.There were long lines in Georgia on Monday as voters flocked to the polls for the first day of early voting in the state, which has developed a national reputation in recent years for voting issues.
Voters who cast their votes at the State Farm Arena, a basketball stadium being used as an early voting site this year, faced more than an hour wait after a glitch with some of the equipment used to check voters in, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Poll workers rebooted the 60 machines at the site, the paper reported.Voters who cast their votes at the State Farm Arena, a basketball stadium being used as an early voting site this year, faced more than an hour wait after a glitch with some of the equipment used to check voters in, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Poll workers rebooted the 60 machines at the site, the paper reported.
Adrienne Crowley, who waited more than an hour to vote, told the paper there wasn’t anything that would make her get out of the line to vote. “I would have voted all day if I had to.”Adrienne Crowley, who waited more than an hour to vote, told the paper there wasn’t anything that would make her get out of the line to vote. “I would have voted all day if I had to.”
Voters began lining up outside polling stations in the predawn hours, some using their cellphone flashlights to help other voters fill out pre-registration forms, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.Voters began lining up outside polling stations in the predawn hours, some using their cellphone flashlights to help other voters fill out pre-registration forms, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Georgia is the latest state to see extremely long lines during the first day of in person voting. Election officials have also seen unprecedented voter turnout on the first day of in-person early voting in states like Virginia and Ohio.Georgia is the latest state to see extremely long lines during the first day of in person voting. Election officials have also seen unprecedented voter turnout on the first day of in-person early voting in states like Virginia and Ohio.
Nationally, more than 9.4m people have already voted, an unprecedented number, according to data collected by Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida.Nationally, more than 9.4m people have already voted, an unprecedented number, according to data collected by Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida.
Democrats are trying to pick up a US senate seat in Georgia in a race where Democrat Jon Ossoff is challenging incumbent Republican David Perdue.Democrats are trying to pick up a US senate seat in Georgia in a race where Democrat Jon Ossoff is challenging incumbent Republican David Perdue.
Georgia has long been seen as a Republican bastion, but many think recent demographic changes have made it a more competitive state. A recent poll shows Donald Trump and Joe Biden in a statistical tie in the state.Georgia has long been seen as a Republican bastion, but many think recent demographic changes have made it a more competitive state. A recent poll shows Donald Trump and Joe Biden in a statistical tie in the state.
Joe Biden said he did not believe there should be questions about Amy Coney Barrett’s Catholic faith during her nomination hearings.Joe Biden said he did not believe there should be questions about Amy Coney Barrett’s Catholic faith during her nomination hearings.
Instead, the Democratic nominee said, questions should focus on how her confirmation to the supreme court could put the future of the Affordable Care Act in jeopardy.Instead, the Democratic nominee said, questions should focus on how her confirmation to the supreme court could put the future of the Affordable Care Act in jeopardy.
“Let’s keep our eye on the ball,” Biden said before boarding his campaign plane. He is en route to Ohio for two campaign events there today.“Let’s keep our eye on the ball,” Biden said before boarding his campaign plane. He is en route to Ohio for two campaign events there today.
Mike Lee released a letter from the attending physician of the Capitol after some criticized the Republican senator’s decision to attending Amy Coney Barrett’s hearing in person.Mike Lee released a letter from the attending physician of the Capitol after some criticized the Republican senator’s decision to attending Amy Coney Barrett’s hearing in person.
The letter notes that Lee tested positive for coronavirus 10 days ago and last had a fever exceeding 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday. He is also experiencing lingering fatigue from the virus, while his other symptoms have resolved.The letter notes that Lee tested positive for coronavirus 10 days ago and last had a fever exceeding 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday. He is also experiencing lingering fatigue from the virus, while his other symptoms have resolved.
“Based upon current CDC guidelines, you have met criteria to end COVID-19 isolation for those with mild to moderate disease,” Dr Brian Monahan wrote.“Based upon current CDC guidelines, you have met criteria to end COVID-19 isolation for those with mild to moderate disease,” Dr Brian Monahan wrote.
“Specifically, it has been greater than 10 days since symptom onset, you have had no fever in absence of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours, and your other symptoms have improved.”“Specifically, it has been greater than 10 days since symptom onset, you have had no fever in absence of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours, and your other symptoms have improved.”
Lee has not said whether he tested negative for the virus before returning to the Capitol, but Monahan notes, “The CDC does not recommend repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing if these criteria are met.”Lee has not said whether he tested negative for the virus before returning to the Capitol, but Monahan notes, “The CDC does not recommend repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing if these criteria are met.”
While delivering his opening statement this morning, Lee spoke for several minutes without wearing a mask.While delivering his opening statement this morning, Lee spoke for several minutes without wearing a mask.
Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat of Rhode Island, denounced Republicans’ handling of Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings amid the coronavirus pandemic.Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat of Rhode Island, denounced Republicans’ handling of Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Whitehouse argued the hearings were “a microcosm of Trump’s dangerous ineptitude in dealing with the Covid pandemic.”Whitehouse argued the hearings were “a microcosm of Trump’s dangerous ineptitude in dealing with the Covid pandemic.”
“Trump can’t even keep the White House safe,” the Democratic senator said, less than two weeks after the president tested positive for coronavirus.“Trump can’t even keep the White House safe,” the Democratic senator said, less than two weeks after the president tested positive for coronavirus.
Whitehouse said he had concerns about who in the Senate had and had not received coronavirus tests and what contract tracing had been done with those who had tested positive.Whitehouse said he had concerns about who in the Senate had and had not received coronavirus tests and what contract tracing had been done with those who had tested positive.
“The whole thing, just like Trump, is an irresponsible botch,” Whitehouse said.“The whole thing, just like Trump, is an irresponsible botch,” Whitehouse said.
After Mike Lee finished delivering his opening statement, Lindsey Graham joked that his Republican colleague’s lengthy legal analysis signaled he had recovered from coronavirus, 10 days after testing positive.After Mike Lee finished delivering his opening statement, Lindsey Graham joked that his Republican colleague’s lengthy legal analysis signaled he had recovered from coronavirus, 10 days after testing positive.
“Well, good news,” Graham said. “Senator Lee’s enthusiasm for the dormant commerce clause assures me you’ve made a full recovery.”“Well, good news,” Graham said. “Senator Lee’s enthusiasm for the dormant commerce clause assures me you’ve made a full recovery.”
Lee said earlier today that the attending physician of the Capitol had cleared him to attend Amy Coney Barrett’s hearings in person, but he would not say if he had tested negative.Lee said earlier today that the attending physician of the Capitol had cleared him to attend Amy Coney Barrett’s hearings in person, but he would not say if he had tested negative.
Senator Mike Lee, who tested positive for coronavirus 10 days ago, is now delivering his opening statement without wearing a mask.Senator Mike Lee, who tested positive for coronavirus 10 days ago, is now delivering his opening statement without wearing a mask.
Lee said earlier today that he would attend Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings in person, but he did not clarify whether he had tested negative for coronavirus.Lee said earlier today that he would attend Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings in person, but he did not clarify whether he had tested negative for coronavirus.
Trump appeared to call for shortening Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings to quickly confirm her and shift the Senate’s focus to coronavirus relief negotiations.Trump appeared to call for shortening Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings to quickly confirm her and shift the Senate’s focus to coronavirus relief negotiations.
“The Republicans are giving the Democrats a great deal of time, which is not mandated, to make their self serving statements relative to our great new future Supreme Court Justice. Personally, I would pull back, approve, and go for STIMULUS for the people!!!” Trump said in a new tweet.“The Republicans are giving the Democrats a great deal of time, which is not mandated, to make their self serving statements relative to our great new future Supreme Court Justice. Personally, I would pull back, approve, and go for STIMULUS for the people!!!” Trump said in a new tweet.
Barrett’s hearings are scheduled to span four days, which is in line with other recent supreme court nominations.Barrett’s hearings are scheduled to span four days, which is in line with other recent supreme court nominations.
Although the president can pressure Republicans to try to shorten the proceedings, that decision is ultimately up to Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the judiciary committee, and it would likely be difficult to alter the schedule at this point.Although the president can pressure Republicans to try to shorten the proceedings, that decision is ultimately up to Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the judiciary committee, and it would likely be difficult to alter the schedule at this point.
Last week, Trump briefly signaled he wanted to withdraw from coronavirus relief negotiations, but he then pivoted again, saying he wanted more spending than either party had proposed.Last week, Trump briefly signaled he wanted to withdraw from coronavirus relief negotiations, but he then pivoted again, saying he wanted more spending than either party had proposed.
Reminder: there are 22 days until the presidential election.Reminder: there are 22 days until the presidential election.