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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
(32 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
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.
“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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Members of the Senate judiciary committee continue to deliver their opening statements for Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.Members of the Senate judiciary committee continue to deliver their opening statements for Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.
The blog will be watching the hearing while keeping an eye on the other pressing issues of the day because Barrett is not expected to speak until later this afternoon.The blog will be watching the hearing while keeping an eye on the other pressing issues of the day because Barrett is not expected to speak until later this afternoon.
Over on the House side of the Capitol, majority leader Steny Hoyer said no votes were expected this week on a coronavirus relief package, as negotiations continue between speaker Nancy Pelosi and treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin.Over on the House side of the Capitol, majority leader Steny Hoyer said no votes were expected this week on a coronavirus relief package, as negotiations continue between speaker Nancy Pelosi and treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Patrick Leahy, a Democrat of Vermont, focused his opening statement on denouncing Republicans’ flip-flop on holding supreme court hearings in election years.Patrick Leahy, a Democrat of Vermont, focused his opening statement on denouncing Republicans’ flip-flop on holding supreme court hearings in election years.
When Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell refused to even consider Barack Obama’s nominee to fill the supreme court seat.When Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell refused to even consider Barack Obama’s nominee to fill the supreme court seat.
Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, used his opening statement to preemptively rebut these arguments from Democrats.Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, used his opening statement to preemptively rebut these arguments from Democrats.
The Republican chairman noted that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month, previously said president serves for four years, not three.The Republican chairman noted that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month, previously said president serves for four years, not three.
But Graham did not mention that Ginsburg also gave a statement to her family shortly before her death expressing her wish for the president to wait to fill her seat until after next month’s election.But Graham did not mention that Ginsburg also gave a statement to her family shortly before her death expressing her wish for the president to wait to fill her seat until after next month’s election.
Chuck Grassley, the former Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, is now delivering his opening statement, applauding Amy Coney Barrett’s professional achievements.Chuck Grassley, the former Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, is now delivering his opening statement, applauding Amy Coney Barrett’s professional achievements.
Every member of the Senate judiciary committee will be given the chance to deliver an opening statement before Barrett delivers hers.Every member of the Senate judiciary committee will be given the chance to deliver an opening statement before Barrett delivers hers.
Considering there are 22 members on the committee, Barrett will not speak until later this afternoon.Considering there are 22 members on the committee, Barrett will not speak until later this afternoon.
Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, focused her opening statement on her concerns that Amy Coney Barrett would vote to scrap the Affordable Care Act.Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, focused her opening statement on her concerns that Amy Coney Barrett would vote to scrap the Affordable Care Act.
The California Democrat noted the supreme court will be holding oral arguments on a case involving the ACA one week after the November 3 elections.The California Democrat noted the supreme court will be holding oral arguments on a case involving the ACA one week after the November 3 elections.
Feinstein pointed to past writings from Barrett criticizing supreme court Chief Justice John Roberts for voting to uphold the law in 2012.Feinstein pointed to past writings from Barrett criticizing supreme court Chief Justice John Roberts for voting to uphold the law in 2012.
Democrats on the committee are expected to hammer this theme of the ACA being in jeopardy for the rest of the week.Democrats on the committee are expected to hammer this theme of the ACA being in jeopardy for the rest of the week.
Meanwhile, senator Kamala Harris has arrived on Capitol Hill, where she will participate in Amy Coney Barrett’s hearings virtually from her office.Meanwhile, senator Kamala Harris has arrived on Capitol Hill, where she will participate in Amy Coney Barrett’s hearings virtually from her office.
The Democratic vice-presidential nominee said her opening statement today would be focused on “establishing the context of this hearing.”The Democratic vice-presidential nominee said her opening statement today would be focused on “establishing the context of this hearing.”
As a member of the Senate judiciary committee, Harris has become well-known for her tough questioning of Trump’s nominees, including supreme court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.As a member of the Senate judiciary committee, Harris has become well-known for her tough questioning of Trump’s nominees, including supreme court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Lindsey Graham closed his opening comments by predicting this would be “a long, contentious week.”Lindsey Graham closed his opening comments by predicting this would be “a long, contentious week.”
The Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee asked members of the panel to keep the hearings “respectful” and “challenging.”The Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee asked members of the panel to keep the hearings “respectful” and “challenging.”
“Remember, the world is watching,” Graham said.“Remember, the world is watching,” Graham said.
Lindsey Graham acknowledged the nomination hearings were unlikely to change the minds of anyone on the Senate judiciary committee.Lindsey Graham acknowledged the nomination hearings were unlikely to change the minds of anyone on the Senate judiciary committee.
“This is probably not about persuading each other unless something really dramatic happens,” the Republican chairman of the committee said.“This is probably not about persuading each other unless something really dramatic happens,” the Republican chairman of the committee said.
Graham said he expected all Republicans to support Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination and all Democrats to oppose it.Graham said he expected all Republicans to support Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination and all Democrats to oppose it.
Lindsey Graham justified the timing of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings, even though they come about three weeks before a presidential election.Lindsey Graham justified the timing of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings, even though they come about three weeks before a presidential election.
The Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee said it was fair to confirm Barrett when both the White House and the Senate were controlled by Republicans.The Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee said it was fair to confirm Barrett when both the White House and the Senate were controlled by Republicans.
No supreme court nominee has ever been confirmed between July and November of a presidential election year.No supreme court nominee has ever been confirmed between July and November of a presidential election year.
Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, laid out the schedule for Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, laid out the schedule for Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.
Today will be dedicated to opening statements from Barrett and the members of the committee, followed by two days of questioning.Today will be dedicated to opening statements from Barrett and the members of the committee, followed by two days of questioning.
Graham said the panel would likely vote on her nomination on October 27, followed by a full Senate vote on October 27 -- one week before the elections.Graham said the panel would likely vote on her nomination on October 27, followed by a full Senate vote on October 27 -- one week before the elections.
Supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has taken her seat in the Senate hearing room. The nomination hearings are now underway.Supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has taken her seat in the Senate hearing room. The nomination hearings are now underway.