Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court Nomination Advanced by Senate Committee

Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court Nomination Advanced by Senate Committee

Move comes over objection of Democrats to Republicans’ quickly filling Supreme Court opening

Amy Coney Barrett’s Nomination Heads for a Full Senate Vote

By Siobhan Hughes, Wall Street Journal, Oct. 22, 2020:

WASHINGTON—The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court as Republicans unanimously voted to recommend that the full Senate approve her, paving the way for her confirmation next week.

The tally was 12-0. All 10 Democrats on the panel declined to appear at the proceedings to protest the Republican plan to fill the position just ahead of a presidential election.

The committee action clears the way for a full Senate vote that is expected on Monday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) is expected to take the rare step of keeping the chamber in session over the weekend in order to limit the opportunities for Democrats to delay the vote.

If confirmed as expected, Judge Barrett would give the Supreme Court a solid conservative majority that could affect the role of government, the rights of individuals, and the interpretation of such long-debated constitutional terms as equal protection, due process of law, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Democrats fear that she could provide a crucial vote in favor of restricting abortion rights or undercutting the Affordable Care Act.

Instead of attending the vote Thursday, Democrats displayed cardboard photos of Americans with health conditions, people they said could be affected if the ACA is rolled back. Judge Barrett is likely to be on the court in time to hear Nov. 10 oral arguments in a case challenging a central pillar of the ACA.