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Amy Coney Barrett delivers statement on first day of supreme court nomination hearings – live Amy Coney Barrett delivers statement on first day of supreme court nomination hearings – live
(32 minutes later)
The public should not expect courts to make policy decisions, Barrett says in opening statement, as first day of hearings concludesThe public should not expect courts to make policy decisions, Barrett says in opening statement, as first day of hearings concludes
The AP has some more on Biden’s speech in Toledo, Ohio, and on Vice-President Mike Pence’s doings in the same key swing state today, ahead of his boss’s return to the campaign trail in Florida tonight.
While Washington had its eyes on the Amy Coney Barrett confirmation hearing, Joe Biden was speaking at a drive-in rally in Toledo, Ohio. The Associated Press reports:
The AP also reports that Biden’s press pack wasn’t with him in Toledo, after the press plane “had a malfunction and remained grounded in Wilmington, Delaware. Because Biden’s plane always takes off first, the candidate was already on his way to Ohio.”
To round off this post, I’m going to have some Fun With Polls. This is how fivethirtyeight.com has the averages at the moment, nationally and in some key battleground states. Note Ohio, where Biden is today:
National: Biden +10.5
Arizona: Biden +3.9
Florida: Biden +4.5
Michigan: Biden +8.1
Nevada: Biden +6.9
North Carolina: Biden +2.9
Ohio: Biden +0.7
Pennsylvania: Biden +7.2
Wisconsin: Biden +7.7
Here’s our own battleground tracker:
Speaking to reporters, Amy Klobuchar acknowledged that Senate Democrats “don’t have any special procedural” strategy for stopping Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination.Speaking to reporters, Amy Klobuchar acknowledged that Senate Democrats “don’t have any special procedural” strategy for stopping Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination.
Democrats acknowledge that it will be extremely difficult for them to block Barrett’s confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate.Democrats acknowledge that it will be extremely difficult for them to block Barrett’s confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate.
But Klobuchar and Dick Durbin both expressed hope that Democrats’ questioning of Barrett over the next two days will encourage Americans to reach out to their Republican senators about her confirmation.But Klobuchar and Dick Durbin both expressed hope that Democrats’ questioning of Barrett over the next two days will encourage Americans to reach out to their Republican senators about her confirmation.
Senate Democrats are now holding a press conference about Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.Senate Democrats are now holding a press conference about Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.
The Democratic senators appeared before reporters wearing masks and holding posters of their constituents who have preexisting conditions.The Democratic senators appeared before reporters wearing masks and holding posters of their constituents who have preexisting conditions.
The Democrats repeated their talking points from the nomination hearing, warning that Barrett’s confirmation to the supreme court would jeopardize the Affordable Care Act and threaten the healthcare coverage of millions of Americans.The Democrats repeated their talking points from the nomination hearing, warning that Barrett’s confirmation to the supreme court would jeopardize the Affordable Care Act and threaten the healthcare coverage of millions of Americans.
The first day of Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings has now concluded, after the supreme court nominee and every member of the Senate judiciary committee delivered opening statements.The first day of Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings has now concluded, after the supreme court nominee and every member of the Senate judiciary committee delivered opening statements.
Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the committee, said the committee would reconvene for the first day of questioning tomorrow at 9 am ET.Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the committee, said the committee would reconvene for the first day of questioning tomorrow at 9 am ET.
Patricia O’Hara, the dean of Notre Dame Law School, virtually delivered a statement to the Senate judiciary committee.Patricia O’Hara, the dean of Notre Dame Law School, virtually delivered a statement to the Senate judiciary committee.
O’Hara was supposed to introduce Amy Coney Barrett before the supreme court nominee’s opening statement, but she was having some technical difficulties.O’Hara was supposed to introduce Amy Coney Barrett before the supreme court nominee’s opening statement, but she was having some technical difficulties.
O’Hara offered an unambiguous endorsement of Barrett’s qualifications, and she noted she previously sent a letter of endorsement for Justice Elena Kagan, who was nominated by Barack Obama.O’Hara offered an unambiguous endorsement of Barrett’s qualifications, and she noted she previously sent a letter of endorsement for Justice Elena Kagan, who was nominated by Barack Obama.
In her opening statement, Amy Coney Barrett emphasized that it is not the responsibility of judges to legislate from the bench.In her opening statement, Amy Coney Barrett emphasized that it is not the responsibility of judges to legislate from the bench.
“Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law, which is critical to a free society. But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” Barrett said.“Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law, which is critical to a free society. But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” Barrett said.
“The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the people. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try.”“The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the people. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try.”
Barrett said she was honored to be nominated to fill the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month.Barrett said she was honored to be nominated to fill the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month.
“I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg’s seat, but no one will ever take her place,” Barrett said. “I will be forever grateful for the path she marked and the life she led.”“I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg’s seat, but no one will ever take her place,” Barrett said. “I will be forever grateful for the path she marked and the life she led.”
Amy Coney Barrett opened her statement by thanking the Indiana senators who introduced her and the dean of Notre Dame law school, who was supposed to introduce Barrett virtually as well but was suffering some technical difficulties.Amy Coney Barrett opened her statement by thanking the Indiana senators who introduced her and the dean of Notre Dame law school, who was supposed to introduce Barrett virtually as well but was suffering some technical difficulties.
Barrett then introduced her husband and each of their seven children, several of whom are present in the hearing room.Barrett then introduced her husband and each of their seven children, several of whom are present in the hearing room.
Amy Coney Barrett has been sworn in for her supreme court nomination hearings.Amy Coney Barrett has been sworn in for her supreme court nomination hearings.
Barrett is now delivering her opening statement to the Senate judiciary committee.Barrett is now delivering her opening statement to the Senate judiciary committee.
Supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett was introduced by the two senators who represent her home state of Indiana, Todd Young and Mike Braun.Supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett was introduced by the two senators who represent her home state of Indiana, Todd Young and Mike Braun.
All members of the Senate judiciary committee have now delivered their opening statements, and Amy Coney Barrett will soon deliver her statement.
Before turning things over to Barrett, Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, introduced a letter from the Architect of the Capitol saying the hearing room was CDC compliant.
Graham said he received a coronavirus test a week ago due to brief exposure to Mike Lee, who tested positive 10 days ago. Graham’s test was negative.
“I’m not going to be told to be tested by political opponents,” Graham said.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The nomination hearings for Amy Coney Barrett are underway. The supreme court nominee is expected to deliver her opening statement this afternoon.
Senate Republicans accused their Democratic colleagues of attacking Barrett’s Catholic faith, even though Democrats have not mentioned her faith. Instead, Democrats have used their opening statements to warn that Barrett’s confirmation to the supreme court could jeopardize the Affordable Care Act.
Kamala Harris argued the Senate should postpone Barrett’s hearings and focus on passing another coronavirus relief bill. Delivering an opening statement virtually from her Senate office, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee said, “Senate Republicans have made it crystal clear that rushing a supreme court nomination is more important than helping and supporting the American people who are suffering from a deadly pandemic and economic crisis.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
In his opening statement, John Kennedy reflected on the nomination hearings for supreme court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
The Republican senator said that the 2018 Kavanaugh hearings, which became focused on Dr Christine Blasey Ford’s allegation of sexual assault against the judge, were a “freak show.”
“It looked like the cantina bar scene out of Star Wars,” Kennedy added.
Senator Kamala Harris delivered an opening statement at Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearing virtually, from her Senate office.
The Democratic vice-presidential nominee criticized Republicans’ “reckless” decision to hold the nomination hearings in the middle of a global pandemic and less than two weeks after committee members tested positive for coronavirus.
Harris, a member of the Senate judiciary committee, argued the chamber should postpone the hearings and instead focus on passing another coronavirus relief package.
“Senate Republicans have made it crystal clear that rushing a Supreme Court nomination is more important than helping and supporting the American people who are suffering from a deadly pandemic and economic crisis,” Harris said.
The California senator also accused Republicans of trying to overturn the Affordable Care Act through the supreme court because they failed to do so in Congress.
“Republicans finally realized the ACA is too popular to repeal in Congress, so now they are trying to bypass the will of voters and have the Supreme Court do their dirty work,” Harris said.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
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.