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Amy Coney Barrett Senate hearings set to begin in Washington – US politics live Amy Coney Barrett Senate hearings set to begin in Washington – US politics live
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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
Kenya Evelyn reports for us in Jacksonville, Florida:
With one in 1,000 Black Americans having died of the coronavirus, progressives such as Angie Nixon are rallying voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Running uncontested, she’s the next state representative for Florida’s 14th congressional district representing Jacksonville and its outer suburbs.
“I think it’s really important that we work on legislation that addresses systemic racism and that is not just Band-Aids,” she said. “I’m pregnant. Yes, I have a degree. I have a good-paying job and I have healthcare, but I’m still concerned that if I go into the hospital, will I be listened to?”
As cases surged in Jacksonville, Nixon’s canvassing evolved into community wellness checks. Shortly after, she contracted the virus while pregnant before transmitting it to her mother. She said her “most mentally taxing experience” is a wake-up call for Democrats to get aggressive in facing the issues affecting their most loyal voting bloc.
“I don’t want [my daughters] to continue to fight for the same things that my mom and my grandmother had to fight for,” she said. “We’ve been the ones that have been turning out for the longest and we are going to lead this movement,” she said.
Nixon is part of a record number of Black women and women of color to run for office across the country. While she called on more to claim their political power and demand “a seat at the table”, she acknowledged that not all Black voters move left.
Read Kenya Evelyn’s report in full here: ‘We’re going to lead this’: a call for Black women in Florida to claim their political power
As well as tweeting about Portland and coronavirus, the president has repeated his claim that the 2020 US election is being rigged against him. The legal wrangling over Republican attempts at voter suppression meanwhile continues in the courts.
In Minnesota, Associated Press report, a federal judge has upheld a state court agreement that extends the states’s deadline for counting absentee ballots by seven days.
Republicans had asked US District Judge Nancy Brasel to block the seven-day extension that Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon agreed to after a citizens’ rights group cited concerns about voter safety due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But Brasel ruled late Sunday that the plaintiffs in the case – a pair of Republicans serving as electors in the presidential election – don’t have standing and denied their motion for a preliminary injunction.
Previously, ballots had to be received by 8pm on election day but a consent decree allowed ballots postmarked on or before election day to be counted if they were received within the following seven days.
Brasel’s decision to keep the extension intact comes just days after a federal appeals court blocked a similar extension in Wisconsin in a win for Republicans who have fought attempts to expand voting across the country.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, a federal judge on Sunday expressed serious concerns about the state’s new election system, but declined to order the state to abandon its touchscreen voting machines in favor of hand-marked paper ballots for the November election.
The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by voting integrity activists that challenges the election system the state bought last year from Dominion Voting Systems for more than $100 million. The activists argued that the system places an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote because voters cannot be confident their vote is accurately counted.
One of the unknowns of this election, which is taking place with unprecedented levels of mail in and absentee ballots during a global pandemic, is just when we might find out the result. It is sure to be disputed, whatever happens, but Zach Montellaro and David Siders think the picture could be clearer than anticipated on the night. They write for Politico:
They go on to outline several scenarios where Biden could be confident he had bagged 270 electoral college votes on the night – nearly all of which rely on him winning Florida.
Biden visits Ohio to campaign later today.
Read more here: Politico – How Biden could end 2020 on election night — and why Trump’s path is unlikely
President Donald Trump has tweeted about the rising numbers of coronavirus cases being reported in Europe, promising that “it will run its course” if the US is strong and vigilant.
Yesterday the US recorded 44,614 new coronavirus cases and 398 new Covid deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker. Here are the latest figures showing the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in the US.
Erwin Chemerinsky writes for the Los Angeles Times this morning on “How the Senate should question Amy Coney Barrett to show the threat she poses”Erwin Chemerinsky writes for the Los Angeles Times this morning on “How the Senate should question Amy Coney Barrett to show the threat she poses”
Read more here: Los Angeles Times – How the Senate should question Amy Coney Barrett to show the threat she posesRead more here: Los Angeles Times – How the Senate should question Amy Coney Barrett to show the threat she poses
The president has awakened, and his first tweet of the day is about overnight events in Portland, where protestors have toppled statues of Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln [see 6:43].The president has awakened, and his first tweet of the day is about overnight events in Portland, where protestors have toppled statues of Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln [see 6:43].
Some of the drama of today’s Senate judiciary committee hearing into the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett has been taken away by the fact that her opening statement has leaked. In it she will give a great deal of thanks to her family, teachers and to her legal mentors – notable Judge Laurence Silberman and Justice Antonin Scalia.Some of the drama of today’s Senate judiciary committee hearing into the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett has been taken away by the fact that her opening statement has leaked. In it she will give a great deal of thanks to her family, teachers and to her legal mentors – notable Judge Laurence Silberman and Justice Antonin Scalia.
She will then go on to talk a little of her philosophy of applying the law:She will then go on to talk a little of her philosophy of applying the law:
Harry Enten at CNN has a look at some dispiriting numbers for the Trump campaign today, noting that Joe Biden is polling better than any challenger since 1936.Harry Enten at CNN has a look at some dispiriting numbers for the Trump campaign today, noting that Joe Biden is polling better than any challenger since 1936.
Some word of caution, of course. Polls can be wrong and as Enten reminds us, it’s the Electoral College, not national share of vote that matters. But, he says:Some word of caution, of course. Polls can be wrong and as Enten reminds us, it’s the Electoral College, not national share of vote that matters. But, he says:
Read it here: CNN – Joe Biden’s polling better than any challenger since 1936Read it here: CNN – Joe Biden’s polling better than any challenger since 1936
Joe Biden will be in Ohio today, in a move which Julie Carr Smyth and Thomas Beaumont of the Associated Press say signals the former vice president’s hopes of winning the state Democrats lost by a significant margin in the 2016 election.Joe Biden will be in Ohio today, in a move which Julie Carr Smyth and Thomas Beaumont of the Associated Press say signals the former vice president’s hopes of winning the state Democrats lost by a significant margin in the 2016 election.
Biden plans an afternoon campaign speech in Toledo, then will head to Cincinnati for a voter mobilization event.Biden plans an afternoon campaign speech in Toledo, then will head to Cincinnati for a voter mobilization event.
Vice president Mike Pence also plans a “Make America Great Again” campaign stop in Columbus on Monday, as he fills in for Trump before the president returns to the campaign trail later today with an even in Florida.Vice president Mike Pence also plans a “Make America Great Again” campaign stop in Columbus on Monday, as he fills in for Trump before the president returns to the campaign trail later today with an even in Florida.
The Trump team are bullish about holding Ohio, which they won by 8 points last time around. “While Joe Biden and Democrats fumble to find Ohio at the 11th hour, Trump Victory never took the Buckeye State for granted and developed the strongest grassroots operation in the history of our state,” spokesman Dan Lusheck said in a statement Saturday. “We look forward to a big win for Team Trump on November 3rd.”The Trump team are bullish about holding Ohio, which they won by 8 points last time around. “While Joe Biden and Democrats fumble to find Ohio at the 11th hour, Trump Victory never took the Buckeye State for granted and developed the strongest grassroots operation in the history of our state,” spokesman Dan Lusheck said in a statement Saturday. “We look forward to a big win for Team Trump on November 3rd.”
Biden extended his advertising presence in Ohio last week, adding money notably to radio in rural western counties and in the state’s eastern and southeastern Appalachian counties, where Trump won big four years ago.Biden extended his advertising presence in Ohio last week, adding money notably to radio in rural western counties and in the state’s eastern and southeastern Appalachian counties, where Trump won big four years ago.
Polls show the race in Ohio close, with Trump just about retaining an edge. Trump’s support has declined in suburbs across the state this year though, notably in and around Cincinnati, according to surveys by Republican legislative strategists, worrying them about whether Trump’s plan to turn out more voters than 2016 in the rural parts of the state can compensate for the losses.Polls show the race in Ohio close, with Trump just about retaining an edge. Trump’s support has declined in suburbs across the state this year though, notably in and around Cincinnati, according to surveys by Republican legislative strategists, worrying them about whether Trump’s plan to turn out more voters than 2016 in the rural parts of the state can compensate for the losses.
You can keep up to date with the polling in the crucial swing states with our US election polls tracker.You can keep up to date with the polling in the crucial swing states with our US election polls tracker.
There’s some dramatic images in from Portland, Oregon this morning, the city that has held over 100 consecutive days of #BlackLivesMatter demonstrations in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd.There’s some dramatic images in from Portland, Oregon this morning, the city that has held over 100 consecutive days of #BlackLivesMatter demonstrations in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd.
Overnight protestors have toppled statues of Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.Overnight protestors have toppled statues of Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Shane Dixon Kavanaugh reports for The Oregonian/OregonLive:Shane Dixon Kavanaugh reports for The Oregonian/OregonLive:
Kavanaugh said that the group were around 200 strong, and targeted a bronze sculpture officially titled “Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider,” by putting chains around it and rocking it from side-to-side as others took a blowtorch to its base and splattered it with red paint.Kavanaugh said that the group were around 200 strong, and targeted a bronze sculpture officially titled “Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider,” by putting chains around it and rocking it from side-to-side as others took a blowtorch to its base and splattered it with red paint.
Roosevelt’s plinth was daubed with “Stolen Land”, while the base of the Lincoln statue was spray-painted with “Dakota 38,” a reference to 38 men executed after the 1862 Dakota-US War. It was the largest mass execution in a single day in American history.Roosevelt’s plinth was daubed with “Stolen Land”, while the base of the Lincoln statue was spray-painted with “Dakota 38,” a reference to 38 men executed after the 1862 Dakota-US War. It was the largest mass execution in a single day in American history.
After the statues were toppled, protestors unfurled a banner that read “Stop honoring racist colonizer murderers.”After the statues were toppled, protestors unfurled a banner that read “Stop honoring racist colonizer murderers.”
ABC News have published some new polling data this morning about the rush to confirm Amy Coney Barrett as a new justice on the supreme court.ABC News have published some new polling data this morning about the rush to confirm Amy Coney Barrett as a new justice on the supreme court.
Read more here: ABC News – Majority says wait on the SCOTUS seat; 6 in 10 favor upholding Roe: POLLRead more here: ABC News – Majority says wait on the SCOTUS seat; 6 in 10 favor upholding Roe: POLL
The last Senate confirmation hearings for a supreme court justice nominee were for Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, but you might need a refresher on the format of this week’s events. Deirdre Walsh at NPR has you covered:The last Senate confirmation hearings for a supreme court justice nominee were for Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, but you might need a refresher on the format of this week’s events. Deirdre Walsh at NPR has you covered:
The 22 senators on the committee?The 22 senators on the committee?
For Republicans, it is the chair, Graham, plus Chuck Grassley (Iowa), John Cornyn (Texas), Michael Lee (Utah), Ted Cruz (Texas), Ben Sasse (Nebraska), Joshua Hawley (Montana), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Mike Crapo (Idaho), John Kennedy (Louisiana) and Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee).For Republicans, it is the chair, Graham, plus Chuck Grassley (Iowa), John Cornyn (Texas), Michael Lee (Utah), Ted Cruz (Texas), Ben Sasse (Nebraska), Joshua Hawley (Montana), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Mike Crapo (Idaho), John Kennedy (Louisiana) and Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee).
For the Democratic party, it is ranking member Dianne Feinstein (California), Patrick Leahy (Vermont), Dick Durbin (Illinois), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), Christopher Coons (Delaware), Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Kamala Harris (California).For the Democratic party, it is ranking member Dianne Feinstein (California), Patrick Leahy (Vermont), Dick Durbin (Illinois), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), Christopher Coons (Delaware), Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Kamala Harris (California).
Harris has come off the campaign trail this week to participate in the sessions. It all starts in the Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216 at 9am ET, and Joan E Greve will be along around that time to provide in-depth coverage for the blog.Harris has come off the campaign trail this week to participate in the sessions. It all starts in the Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216 at 9am ET, and Joan E Greve will be along around that time to provide in-depth coverage for the blog.
Of all the cornucopia of tone-deaf and offensive remarks made by the president of the United States in almost four years in office, one proposition he made to the American people last week must surely rank among the top 10.Of all the cornucopia of tone-deaf and offensive remarks made by the president of the United States in almost four years in office, one proposition he made to the American people last week must surely rank among the top 10.
“Don’t be afraid of Covid,” he said in a tweet. “Don’t let it dominate your life.”“Don’t be afraid of Covid,” he said in a tweet. “Don’t let it dominate your life.”
Donald Trump posted those words at 2.37pm on 5 October from the luxury of his four-room suite in Walter Reed medical center. He was surrounded by a team of a dozen world-class doctors infusing him with a unique cocktail of experimental drugs for Covid-19 that would have cost an ordinary American hundreds of thousands of dollars to procure.Donald Trump posted those words at 2.37pm on 5 October from the luxury of his four-room suite in Walter Reed medical center. He was surrounded by a team of a dozen world-class doctors infusing him with a unique cocktail of experimental drugs for Covid-19 that would have cost an ordinary American hundreds of thousands of dollars to procure.
About an hour earlier, data scientists at Johns Hopkins University released their latest figures for the pandemic. They showed that at least 7.5 million Americans had contracted the disease, and that 209,881 had died – a death rate towering over most developed countries and 2,000 times that of humble Vietnam.About an hour earlier, data scientists at Johns Hopkins University released their latest figures for the pandemic. They showed that at least 7.5 million Americans had contracted the disease, and that 209,881 had died – a death rate towering over most developed countries and 2,000 times that of humble Vietnam.
Read more here: ‘He just thinks about himself’: America’s reckless, ill presidentRead more here: ‘He just thinks about himself’: America’s reckless, ill president
On that row over the mis-use of a clip of Dr Anthony Fauci in the Trump campaign ad, here’s what he actually said versus how the segment was used by the president’s team.On that row over the mis-use of a clip of Dr Anthony Fauci in the Trump campaign ad, here’s what he actually said versus how the segment was used by the president’s team.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of US politics for Monday, the day that Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to fill the supreme court seat vacated by the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg moves on to the next stage. Here’s a catch up on where we are, and what we might expect to see today:Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of US politics for Monday, the day that Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to fill the supreme court seat vacated by the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg moves on to the next stage. Here’s a catch up on where we are, and what we might expect to see today:
The nomination hearings for Amy Coney Barrett begin at 9am, with opening statements by Senate judiciary committee members and the nominee herself.The nomination hearings for Amy Coney Barrett begin at 9am, with opening statements by Senate judiciary committee members and the nominee herself.
Barrett’s opening statement has been leaked and reveals she will say she would apply the “law as written”. Her faith is expected to feature heavily in the Senate examination.Barrett’s opening statement has been leaked and reveals she will say she would apply the “law as written”. Her faith is expected to feature heavily in the Senate examination.
Donald Trump has started to say that he is “immune” to Covid-19, contradicting evidence people can get it more than once and ignoring the lack of research about how long antibodies are effective. Twitter flagged his tweet claiming immunity, saying it contains misleading information.Donald Trump has started to say that he is “immune” to Covid-19, contradicting evidence people can get it more than once and ignoring the lack of research about how long antibodies are effective. Twitter flagged his tweet claiming immunity, saying it contains misleading information.
Dr Anthony Fauci spoke out against a Trump campaign ad that used his words out of context.Dr Anthony Fauci spoke out against a Trump campaign ad that used his words out of context.
A new national poll from ABC News and the Washington Post showed Joe Biden maintaining a 12% lead over Trump.A new national poll from ABC News and the Washington Post showed Joe Biden maintaining a 12% lead over Trump.
The president will hold a campaign rally in Sanford, Florida, at 7pm ET, marking his return to the campaign trail after being hospitalized with coronavirus.The president will hold a campaign rally in Sanford, Florida, at 7pm ET, marking his return to the campaign trail after being hospitalized with coronavirus.
Biden will be in Ohio, delivering remarks in Toledo on “building back the economy better for working families.” After that, he will attend a voter mobilization event in Cincinnati.Biden will be in Ohio, delivering remarks in Toledo on “building back the economy better for working families.” After that, he will attend a voter mobilization event in Cincinnati.
We’re hosting an online discussion panel on the US election on Tuesday 20 October, featuring senior political reporter Daniel Strauss; political correspondent Lauren Gambino; columnist Richard Wolffe; and Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland. There’s more details and tickets here.We’re hosting an online discussion panel on the US election on Tuesday 20 October, featuring senior political reporter Daniel Strauss; political correspondent Lauren Gambino; columnist Richard Wolffe; and Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland. There’s more details and tickets here.
I’m Martin Belam, and I will be with you for the next couple of hours…I’m Martin Belam, and I will be with you for the next couple of hours…