Assured about the likelihood of victory in confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, the Judiciary Committee majority stressed the importance of the government's separate powers.
Minority members on the Senate Judiciary Committee are alluding frequently to the pending election — and in at least one case, asking that the Supreme Court nominee agree to keep out of it.
Lee tested positive for coronavirus after a White House event for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. The Utah Republican returned for the Judiciary Committee hearing Monday.
Minority Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are using their time to focus on what they call the perils presented by Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the existing U.S. health care system.
Democrats blast efforts to move forward with Amy Coney Barrett's nomination so close to Election Day in Monday's hearing. "There's nothing unconstitutional about this process," Republicans argue.
Democrats are poised to argue that confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court will "undercut the rights and safety of all Americans" because of her record on Obamacare and abortion.
The hearings, which start at 9 a.m. ET on Monday, begin against the backdrop of early voting that has begun in many states and just 22 days before Election Day.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham kicks off four days of hearings on Monday. The panel is expected to vote on Oct. 22, which will be followed by a floor vote by the end of the month.
The Democratic nominee has in recent days refused to answer questions on whether he would seek to increase the number of Supreme Court justices, if elected president.
Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court confirmation hearing is moving ahead under exceedingly unusual circumstances, with Election Day looming and a coronavirus outbreak still roiling Washington.
Republicans have challenged state laws that they say will lead to voter fraud. The judge said the Trump campaign's concerns were mere speculation. In reality, voter fraud is extremely rare.
"This effort to have a mass uprising nationally is something that we should be very concerned about because, again, it's not just a Michigan problem, this is an American problem," Dana Nessel said.
The Supreme Court has largely ducked Second Amendment cases for years. But if the Senate confirms Trump's pick, Amy Coney Barrett, that could produce a big shift on gun regulations.
The former police officer charged with murder in the killing of George Floyd can leave Minnesota while he awaits trial. Floyd's family lawyer called it "an example of two justice systems in America."
