This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/oct/12/amy-coney-barrett-senate-hearings-donald-trump-covid-coronavirus-joe-biden-us-election-live-updates

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
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
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The Senate judiciary committee held the first day of Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings. The supreme court nominee and every member of the committee delivered an opening statement. Questioning of Barrett begins tomorrow.
Barrett emphasized judges should not try to legislate from the bench in her opening statement. “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.”
Senate Republicans accused their Democratic colleagues of attacking Barrett’s Catholic faith, even though Democrats did not mention her faith. Instead, Democrats 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.”
Roberta McCain, the mother of John McCain, died at 108. Her death comes two years after her son, a Republican senator and former presidential nominee, died of brain cancer.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Dr Anthony Fauci said it was “unfortunate” that some of his comments had been used in a Trump campaign ad.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said he believed the ad should be taken down because he is clearly not a “political person.”
“I think it’s really unfortunate and really disappointing that they did that,” Fauci said of the ad. “I have never either directly or indirectly endorsed a political candidate.”
Echoing a previous statement, Fauci said his comments about the the government’s coronavirus pandemic response had been taken out of context.
CNN host Jake Tapper asked what Fauci would say if he learned the Trump campaign was planning to do another add featuring his words.
“That would be terrible,” Fauci said. “That would be outrageous if they do that. In fact, that might actually come back to backfire on them. I hope they don’t do that.”
Trump is trying to raise baseless suspicions about Joe Biden’s health, less than two weeks after he himself tested positive for coronavirus.Trump is trying to raise baseless suspicions about Joe Biden’s health, less than two weeks after he himself tested positive for coronavirus.
“So Biden is coughing and hacking and playing ‘fingers’ with his mask, all over the place, and the Fake News doesn’t want to even think about discussing it,” Trump said in a tweet.“So Biden is coughing and hacking and playing ‘fingers’ with his mask, all over the place, and the Fake News doesn’t want to even think about discussing it,” Trump said in a tweet.
Biden has been taking daily coronavirus tests and releasing the results to the press. Biden’s most recent test was today, and his campaign said he tested negative.Biden has been taking daily coronavirus tests and releasing the results to the press. Biden’s most recent test was today, and his campaign said he tested negative.
In contrast, Trump was hospitalized with coronavirus for four days and has still refused to tell reporters when he last tested negative for the virus.In contrast, Trump was hospitalized with coronavirus for four days and has still refused to tell reporters when he last tested negative for the virus.
A new pair of polls show Joe Biden leading in Wisconsin and Michigan, both of which Trump narrowly won in 2016.A new pair of polls show Joe Biden leading in Wisconsin and Michigan, both of which Trump narrowly won in 2016.
According to the New York Times/Siena College surveys, Biden leads Trump by 8 points among Michigan’s likely voters, 48%-40%.According to the New York Times/Siena College surveys, Biden leads Trump by 8 points among Michigan’s likely voters, 48%-40%.
The Democratic nominee has an even larger 10-point lead among Wisconsin’s likely voters, 51%-41%.The Democratic nominee has an even larger 10-point lead among Wisconsin’s likely voters, 51%-41%.
Trump won both Michigan and Wisconsin by less than 1 point in 2016. Even if the president loses both states on November 3, he can still secure a second term if he holds onto every other state he won in 2016.Trump won both Michigan and Wisconsin by less than 1 point in 2016. Even if the president loses both states on November 3, he can still secure a second term if he holds onto every other state he won in 2016.
However, polls of other key battleground states -- such as Pennsylvania, Arizona and Florida -- indicate Trump is trailing there as well, leaving him an increasingly narrow path to reelection.However, polls of other key battleground states -- such as Pennsylvania, Arizona and Florida -- indicate Trump is trailing there as well, leaving him an increasingly narrow path to reelection.
Cindy McCain, the widow of John McCain, the late senator from Arizona who was the Republican nominee for president in 2008, has announced the death of Roberta McCain, her husband’s mother.Cindy McCain, the widow of John McCain, the late senator from Arizona who was the Republican nominee for president in 2008, has announced the death of Roberta McCain, her husband’s mother.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my wonderful mother-in-law, Roberta McCain,” Cindy McCain wrote on Twitter. “I couldn’t have asked for a better role model or a better friend. She joins her husband Jack, her son John and daughter Sandy.”“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my wonderful mother-in-law, Roberta McCain,” Cindy McCain wrote on Twitter. “I couldn’t have asked for a better role model or a better friend. She joins her husband Jack, her son John and daughter Sandy.”
Roberta McCain was 108. She was 106 when her son the senator died, aged 81, in August 2018.Roberta McCain was 108. She was 106 when her son the senator died, aged 81, in August 2018.
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.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: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.”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: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 +10.5National: Biden +10.5
Arizona: Biden +3.9Arizona: Biden +3.9
Florida: Biden +4.5Florida: Biden +4.5
Michigan: Biden +8.1Michigan: Biden +8.1
Nevada: Biden +6.9Nevada: Biden +6.9
North Carolina: Biden +2.9North Carolina: Biden +2.9
Ohio: Biden +0.7Ohio: Biden +0.7
Pennsylvania: Biden +7.2Pennsylvania: Biden +7.2
Wisconsin: Biden +7.7Wisconsin: Biden +7.7
Here’s our own battleground tracker: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.