Senate Majority Chief Mitch McConnell referred to as Barrett “exceedingly well-qualified” and an “exceptionally spectacular jurist” in a press release and reiterated his vow for the Senate to carry a vote on the nomination, saying it would happen “within the weeks forward.”
Senate Republicans, who’ve the bulk within the chamber, had already signaled plans to rapidly transfer to take up the nomination even earlier than Trump nominated Barrett.
Democrats, within the minority within the Senate, have few choices at their disposal to push again, however are nonetheless gearing up for a struggle and the drive to put in a brand new justice is certain to create an intense liberal backlash, which may have dramatic implications for the struggle for Congress and the White Home this 12 months.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer stated in a press release on Saturday that he’ll “strongly oppose” the nomination.
“Justice Ginsburg’s dying want was that she not get replaced till a brand new president is put in,” Schumer stated, including, “Republicans are poised to not solely ignore her needs, however to exchange her with somebody who may tear down all the pieces that she constructed. This reprehensible energy seize is a cynical assault on the legitimacy of the Court docket.”
The doubtless affirmation listening to schedule within the Judiciary Committee is already being circulated to members of the Senate, in response to three individuals aware of the method, and would tee up a Senate ground vote shortly earlier than Election Day. The listening to would start October 12, with questioning on the subsequent two days, and a closed session on October 15 with exterior witnesses.
The push to verify a Supreme Court docket justice forward of the election would put the Senate on observe for one of many quickest confirmations in fashionable historical past. No Supreme Court docket nominee has ever been confirmed after the month of July throughout a presidential election 12 months.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, a member of Senate Republican management, stated in a press release that the Senate “will give Choose Barrett full and truthful consideration, and a well timed vote on the Senate ground.”
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican dealing with a aggressive reelection, praised Trump’s choice, calling Barrett “extremely certified in all of the areas that matter” in a press release and saying that he’s “dedicated to making sure that the nominee will get a difficult, truthful, and respectful listening to.”
High Democrats, together with Schumer and Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, warned on Saturday that the nomination may jeopardize entry to well being care and threaten different consequential coverage points that might come earlier than the excessive courtroom. The courtroom is scheduled to listen to arguments on the way forward for the Reasonably priced Care Act every week after Election Day.
In a press release, Schumer stated, “The American individuals ought to make no mistake—a vote by any Senator for Choose Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to strike down the Reasonably priced Care Act and eradicate protections for tens of millions of Individuals with pre-existing circumstances.”
Pelosi echoed that message, saying, “For 4 years, President Trump has tried to crush the Reasonably priced Care Act within the Congress and the Courts. This nomination threatens the destruction of life-saving protections for 135 million Individuals with pre-existing circumstances along with each different profit and safety of the Reasonably priced Care Act.”
At present, there are 53 GOP senators, which means Republicans can solely lose three votes to advance the nomination if Vice President Mike Pence steps in to solid a tie-breaking vote.
Forward of the President’s announcement, solely two Republicans — Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins, who’s dealing with a aggressive reelection struggle in Maine — had voiced opposition to the potential of taking over a nominee earlier than November 3.
After Trump’s Saturday announcement, Murkowski stated in a press release that she would meet with Barrett.
“For weeks I’ve acknowledged that I don’t help taking over a possible Supreme Court docket emptiness this near an election. However at present the President exercised his constitutional authority to appoint a person to fill the emptiness on the Supreme Court docket left by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I welcome the chance to fulfill with the Supreme Court docket nominee, simply as I did in 2016.”
GOP Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a frequent critic of the President, signaled earlier this week that he’s on board with the Senate taking over a Supreme Court docket nomination through the present election 12 months, an announcement that every one however ensured a nominee could possibly be confirmed, barring any potential missteps by the nominee through the affirmation course of.
Romney praised Barrett’s nomination in a press release on Saturday, calling her a “highly-respected jurist with distinguished authorized and tutorial credentials.”
The Utah Republican stated, “I stay up for assembly with Choose Barrett, reviewing her file totally, and thoroughly evaluating her {qualifications}.”
This story has been up to date with further developments.
CNN’s Phil Mattingly and Ariane De Vogue contributed.
