Supreme Court Justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett is another step closer to getting confirmed to the high court.
The Senate Judiciary committee confirmed Barrett Thursday and it now goes on to the full Senate on Monday.
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This is the first time a Supreme Court Justice would be confirmed this close to a presidential election, with just days to spare.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously and favorably reported to the floor the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. #ConfirmACB
— Senate Judiciary (@senjudiciary) October 22, 2020
Barrett’s confirmation would give the court an even greater conservative majority with six of the nine judges leaning that way.
The vote was along party lines.
“We did it. Judge Barrett is going to the floor,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina).
All 12 Republicans voted in Barrett’s favor while Democrats boycotted the hearing to protest holding the vote before the presidential election.
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“Rather than show up and do their job, they choose to continue the theater,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
Republicans have touted Barrett’s judicial record while Democrats say she poses a threat to abortion rights and gay marriage.
Democrats said the confirmation process was rushed in order to get Barrett on the bench in time to hear a constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act next month.
“That’s why they were in such a hurry to confirm a Justice who shares their view,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
A vote by any Senator for Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to rip away health care from millions of Americans.
— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) October 22, 2020
Watch Americans across the country tell their stories with health care advocates fighting so hard for them: https://t.co/yuHfY4zvej
Republicans have accused Democrats of wanting to pack the Supreme Court if they win the White House.
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Packing the court means adding more justices to the current nine.
Former Vice President Joe Biden said, if elected, he would put together a national commission to study the court system.
Cox Media Group
