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Senate judiciary committee approves Amy Coney Barrett as Democrats boycott – live Senate judiciary committee approves Amy Coney Barrett as Democrats boycott – live
(32 minutes later)
Committee has voted to report the nomination of Barrett to the full Senate while Democrats boycotted the hearingCommittee has voted to report the nomination of Barrett to the full Senate while Democrats boycotted the hearing
Donald Trump has lashed out at one of his favorite broadcasters, claiming Fox News’ polls are “FAKE”.
Trump is probably (he didn’t include a link) referring to a new Fox News poll which shows him behind Biden in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin – although Trump does have a narrow lead in Ohio.
Unfortunately for Trump, it’s not just the Fox News poll that has him struggling. RealClearPolitics polling average shows Trump significantly behind Biden in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Trump is also trailing – but much more narrowly – in Florida, North Carolina and Arizona.
Vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris has responded to the approval of Amy Coney Barrett – calling the process a “sham” and warning it could have a devastating impact on healthcare:Vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris has responded to the approval of Amy Coney Barrett – calling the process a “sham” and warning it could have a devastating impact on healthcare:
Barrett will now face a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate, and Harris is not the only one aggrieved.Barrett will now face a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate, and Harris is not the only one aggrieved.
“We did it. We did it,” Lindsey Graham announces of the Amy Coney Barrett vote.“We did it. We did it,” Lindsey Graham announces of the Amy Coney Barrett vote.
“Judge Barrett is going to the floor.”“Judge Barrett is going to the floor.”
Graham hands over some time to his fellow Republican senators – Democrats having abstained from the hearing. Mike Lee, from Utah, is first up and emits some hot air about values or similar.Graham hands over some time to his fellow Republican senators – Democrats having abstained from the hearing. Mike Lee, from Utah, is first up and emits some hot air about values or similar.
Here’s Lee in March 2019 using a photo of Ronald Reagan to argue against the climate change-combatting Green New Deal.Here’s Lee in March 2019 using a photo of Ronald Reagan to argue against the climate change-combatting Green New Deal.
The Senate judiciary committee has voted to report the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the full Senate.The Senate judiciary committee has voted to report the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the full Senate.
Democrats boycotted the hearing, meaning it was an unusual scene as the committee clerk collected verbal votes from the committee.Democrats boycotted the hearing, meaning it was an unusual scene as the committee clerk collected verbal votes from the committee.
Large, poster-sized photos of Americans who could lose healthcare at the whim of a Supreme Court vote had been placed in each of the Democrats seats, but as their names were called, there was silence.Large, poster-sized photos of Americans who could lose healthcare at the whim of a Supreme Court vote had been placed in each of the Democrats seats, but as their names were called, there was silence.
The Republicans present chirped out their “yay” votes, however, and the clerk announced:The Republicans present chirped out their “yay” votes, however, and the clerk announced:
“Mr Chairman, the votes are 12 yays, 10 no votes.”“Mr Chairman, the votes are 12 yays, 10 no votes.”
That means there will be a full vote in the Senate on whether to confirm Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.That means there will be a full vote in the Senate on whether to confirm Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Lindsey Graham has kicked off the Senate judiciary committee vote on nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.Lindsey Graham has kicked off the Senate judiciary committee vote on nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Democrats have boycotted the vote, which will decide whether Coney Barrett moves to the next stage of the process.Democrats have boycotted the vote, which will decide whether Coney Barrett moves to the next stage of the process.
Graham, chair of judiciary committee, only briefly commented on the absence of Democrats, who are outraged that a judge could be voted onto the Supreme Court in the middle of an election.Graham, chair of judiciary committee, only briefly commented on the absence of Democrats, who are outraged that a judge could be voted onto the Supreme Court in the middle of an election.
“They [Democrats] made a choice not to participate,” Graham said. The South Carolina senator added that he thought Democrats had not gone “too far” in their questioning of Coney Barrett last week.“They [Democrats] made a choice not to participate,” Graham said. The South Carolina senator added that he thought Democrats had not gone “too far” in their questioning of Coney Barrett last week.
“It’s moments like this you can tell young conservative women there is a place at the table for you,” Graham said.“It’s moments like this you can tell young conservative women there is a place at the table for you,” Graham said.
He said conservative women in America are “marginalized”.He said conservative women in America are “marginalized”.
“It’s ok to be a complete person and be on the Supreme Court it’s ok to be pro-life.”“It’s ok to be a complete person and be on the Supreme Court it’s ok to be pro-life.”
This is Adam Gabbatt taking over from Martin Belam.This is Adam Gabbatt taking over from Martin Belam.
That’s it from me today, I’m handing over to Adam Gabbatt who will be with you shortly to take you through this morning’s committee vote over Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the US supreme court. You’ll be able to watch that right here – you may need to refresh the page for the video to appear. I’ll see you tomorrow…That’s it from me today, I’m handing over to Adam Gabbatt who will be with you shortly to take you through this morning’s committee vote over Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the US supreme court. You’ll be able to watch that right here – you may need to refresh the page for the video to appear. I’ll see you tomorrow…
Nancy Pelosi has been on MSNBC this morning. She said that negotiations over a coronavirus stimulus deal were “on a good path” and that she and treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin were “pretty soon ready to put pen to paper”.Nancy Pelosi has been on MSNBC this morning. She said that negotiations over a coronavirus stimulus deal were “on a good path” and that she and treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin were “pretty soon ready to put pen to paper”.
Vice have published an investigation this morning which they say shows that the US eliminated nearly 21,000 election day polling locations for 2020. Cameron Joseph and Rob Arthur report:Vice have published an investigation this morning which they say shows that the US eliminated nearly 21,000 election day polling locations for 2020. Cameron Joseph and Rob Arthur report:
Read more here: Vice – The US Eliminated Nearly 21,000 Election Day Polling Locations for 2020Read more here: Vice – The US Eliminated Nearly 21,000 Election Day Polling Locations for 2020
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefit has fallen to its lowest level since the Covid-19 crisis began.The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefit has fallen to its lowest level since the Covid-19 crisis began.
Around 787,000 new ‘initial claims’ for jobless support were filed last week. That’s the smallest increase since March, when the US economy began to lock down.Around 787,000 new ‘initial claims’ for jobless support were filed last week. That’s the smallest increase since March, when the US economy began to lock down.
The previous week’s total has been revised down too, to 842,000 from 898,000 (these are the seasonally-adjusted numbers).The previous week’s total has been revised down too, to 842,000 from 898,000 (these are the seasonally-adjusted numbers).
The dip below 800,000 is good news but the number remains historically high. Before the pandemic struck the US was averaging about 200,000 unemployment claims per week.The dip below 800,000 is good news but the number remains historically high. Before the pandemic struck the US was averaging about 200,000 unemployment claims per week.
This week’s number is particularly important because it overlaps with the Labor Department’s monthly survey of the jobs market. But that figure will not be released until 6 November, after the election.This week’s number is particularly important because it overlaps with the Labor Department’s monthly survey of the jobs market. But that figure will not be released until 6 November, after the election.
Now, this is still an awful lot of people losing their jobs in a week - showing that the US labor market is still weak. But after months of elevated initial claims, the total has moved in the right direction.Now, this is still an awful lot of people losing their jobs in a week - showing that the US labor market is still weak. But after months of elevated initial claims, the total has moved in the right direction.
The continuing claim total (those who have received at least two weeks of support), fell to 8.373m from 9.397m a week earlier. That could be due to people returning to the jobs market, or finding that their entitlement has now run out.The continuing claim total (those who have received at least two weeks of support), fell to 8.373m from 9.397m a week earlier. That could be due to people returning to the jobs market, or finding that their entitlement has now run out.
US immigration officers allegedly tortured Cameroonian asylum seekers to force them to sign their own deportation orders, in what lawyers and activists describe as a brutal scramble to fly African migrants out of the country in the run-up to the elections.US immigration officers allegedly tortured Cameroonian asylum seekers to force them to sign their own deportation orders, in what lawyers and activists describe as a brutal scramble to fly African migrants out of the country in the run-up to the elections.
Many of the Cameroonian migrants in a Mississippi detention centre refused to sign, fearing death at the hands of Cameroonian government forces responsible for widespread civilian killings, and because they had asylum hearings pending.Many of the Cameroonian migrants in a Mississippi detention centre refused to sign, fearing death at the hands of Cameroonian government forces responsible for widespread civilian killings, and because they had asylum hearings pending.
According to multiple accounts, detainees were threatened, choked, beaten, pepper-sprayed and threatened with more violence to make them sign. Several were put in handcuffs by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers, and their fingerprints were taken forcibly in place of a signature on documents called stipulated orders of removal, by which the asylum seekers waive their rights to further immigration hearings and accept deportation.According to multiple accounts, detainees were threatened, choked, beaten, pepper-sprayed and threatened with more violence to make them sign. Several were put in handcuffs by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers, and their fingerprints were taken forcibly in place of a signature on documents called stipulated orders of removal, by which the asylum seekers waive their rights to further immigration hearings and accept deportation.
Read more from Julian Borger here: US Ice officers ‘used torture to make Africans sign own deportation orders’Read more from Julian Borger here: US Ice officers ‘used torture to make Africans sign own deportation orders’
CBS have released this morning a preview clip of Joe Biden’s interview which they will transmit at the weekend. In it Biden is asked about ‘court packing’, a topic on which he has been persistently pressed since the Republicans began the nomination process to confirm Amy Coney Barrett. In the clip, the Democratic nominee says:CBS have released this morning a preview clip of Joe Biden’s interview which they will transmit at the weekend. In it Biden is asked about ‘court packing’, a topic on which he has been persistently pressed since the Republicans began the nomination process to confirm Amy Coney Barrett. In the clip, the Democratic nominee says:
Describing the issue as a ‘live ball’, Biden goes on to say:Describing the issue as a ‘live ball’, Biden goes on to say:
You can watch the clip here:You can watch the clip here:
Incidentally, while on the subject of the courts, you’ll be able to watch a live feed of the latest session as Republicans attempt to seal Amy Coney Barrett’s seat on the US supreme court right here on the blog.Incidentally, while on the subject of the courts, you’ll be able to watch a live feed of the latest session as Republicans attempt to seal Amy Coney Barrett’s seat on the US supreme court right here on the blog.
We had a live online panel discussion this week featuring our senior political reporters Daniel Strauss and Lauren Gambino and the Guardian’s US columnist Richard Wolffe discussing the US election. Jonathan Freedland was in the chair. If you missed it, then it is now available as a podcast.We had a live online panel discussion this week featuring our senior political reporters Daniel Strauss and Lauren Gambino and the Guardian’s US columnist Richard Wolffe discussing the US election. Jonathan Freedland was in the chair. If you missed it, then it is now available as a podcast.
The president is up and tweeting – his first couple of tweets were ‘Depression!’ and ‘Virginia!’. Amazing! He’s just returned to the theme of the CBS interview that he abruptly ended the taping of this week.The president is up and tweeting – his first couple of tweets were ‘Depression!’ and ‘Virginia!’. Amazing! He’s just returned to the theme of the CBS interview that he abruptly ended the taping of this week.
Describing it as a “vicious attempted ‘takeout’ interview”, he complains that he was frequently interrupted and is promising again to share the footage before the actual air date of the interview.Describing it as a “vicious attempted ‘takeout’ interview”, he complains that he was frequently interrupted and is promising again to share the footage before the actual air date of the interview.
Trump will be taking part in the final televised debate today, where he can be reassured that thanks to new rules on mic muting, Joe Biden will not be able to interrupt or talk across him for at least two minutes during each of the topic segments.Trump will be taking part in the final televised debate today, where he can be reassured that thanks to new rules on mic muting, Joe Biden will not be able to interrupt or talk across him for at least two minutes during each of the topic segments.
Barack Obama has just tweeted that he has voted by mail, along with an instructional video about how to vote.Barack Obama has just tweeted that he has voted by mail, along with an instructional video about how to vote.
“Generally I don’t share my ballot,” says the former president, “In this case though I think you all know, I’m voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”“Generally I don’t share my ballot,” says the former president, “In this case though I think you all know, I’m voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
In an attempt to demystify the voting by mail process, he also urges the American public to vote ‘back and front’ on their ballots.In an attempt to demystify the voting by mail process, he also urges the American public to vote ‘back and front’ on their ballots.
Obama also lays on the line what he sees is at stake during the 2020 election, saying that voting is “part of our responsibility as a democracy”.Obama also lays on the line what he sees is at stake during the 2020 election, saying that voting is “part of our responsibility as a democracy”.
He also adds that the voting pack includes instructions for how to peel the “I voted” sticker that comes with it. “I didn’t really actually have to read” jokes Obama.He also adds that the voting pack includes instructions for how to peel the “I voted” sticker that comes with it. “I didn’t really actually have to read” jokes Obama.
The video release was carefully co-ordinated with the Biden campaign, with the nominee sharing the video almost immediately after.The video release was carefully co-ordinated with the Biden campaign, with the nominee sharing the video almost immediately after.
CNN have a piece this morning looking at how the two major parties are preparing their respective armies of ‘poll watchers’ for election day.CNN have a piece this morning looking at how the two major parties are preparing their respective armies of ‘poll watchers’ for election day.
There’s clearly a useful reason for having poll watchers, although the roll has been abused in the past – in 1981 a Republican ‘task force’ intimidated voters at the polls.There’s clearly a useful reason for having poll watchers, although the roll has been abused in the past – in 1981 a Republican ‘task force’ intimidated voters at the polls.
However, this year there is a particular concern about the way that the president has been mobilising his support.However, this year there is a particular concern about the way that the president has been mobilising his support.
Read more here: CNN – How the campaigns are preparing to deploy thousands of poll watchersRead more here: CNN – How the campaigns are preparing to deploy thousands of poll watchers
The TASS news agency in Russia has cited Edward Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena saying that Russia has granted the US whistleblower permanent residency rights.The TASS news agency in Russia has cited Edward Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena saying that Russia has granted the US whistleblower permanent residency rights.
Snowden flew to Russia from Hong Kong in June 2013. At first, because his US passport had been cancelled, authorities compelled him to stay in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. After 39 days he was allowed to leave, and has since been relying on repeatedly extended temporary asylum to stay in the country.Snowden flew to Russia from Hong Kong in June 2013. At first, because his US passport had been cancelled, authorities compelled him to stay in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. After 39 days he was allowed to leave, and has since been relying on repeatedly extended temporary asylum to stay in the country.