WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: Seventh U.S. Circuit Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett speaks after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that she will be his nominee to the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden at the White House September 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. With 38 days until the election, Trump tapped Barrett to be his third Supreme Court nominee in just four years and to replace the late Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday. (Image: Getty)
President Donald Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court. The nomination is controversial, as it comes just a few months before the 2020 election, and many question whether a president should be able to replace a justice this close to an election.
With the GOP only holding a 53 seat majority (there are 100 total seats in the Senate), and two Republican Senators already expressing their disapproval, there is a narrow margin of error that Trump and Barrett have to work with.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have said the Barrett nomination should not move forward before the election, but both have said they will meet with her before the vote. The most eager supporters of Barrett seem to be GOP incumbent senators, as gaining a conservative justice will most likely encourage their base voters to come out to the polls.
Republicans senators admire Barrett’s commitment to conservative values. “She looks like she will not change her point of view,” said Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana). “She’ll be consistent with her opinions of the past, and sadly that’s not been the case for a number of so-called conservatives when they got to the court.”
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Democrats unanimously oppose Trump’s nominee, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stating that Barrett will “strike down the Affordable Care Act and eliminate protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.” He also stated that Barrett is a vehicle for Trump’s administration to take away American’s right to healthcare, noting Trump’s poor management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hearings for Barrett will begin October 12, and if all goes to plan, a floor vote can be expected the week before the presidential election on November 3. Hearings are expected to last four days, with opening statements on Monday, questioning on Tuesday and Wednesday, and outside witnesses presenting on Thursday.
Trump has asked Democrats to sit down and meet with Barrett, as well as give her a “dignified” hearing, although many Democrats have vowed not to meet with her at all.
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