What’s next for Trump’s nominee?
Republicans are eyeing a vote in late October on President Donald Trump’s pick, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court.
A confirmation vote so close to a presidential election would be unprecedented, creating significant political risk and uncertainty for both parties.
A look at the confirmation process follows and what we know and don’t know about what’s to come:
What happens next: The Senate Judiciary
Committee will hold four days of confirmation hearings the week of Oct. 12, according to three people familiar with the schedule. Once the committee approves the nomination, it goes to the Senate f loor for a final vote. This could all happen by Nov. 3, if the process goes smoothly.
■ The nominee traditionally meets with individual senators before the confirmation hearings begin, a process that could begin as soon as this week.
■ Will there be a vote before the election:
Republicans are privately aiming to hold the final vote the last week of October, but acknowledge the tight timeline and say they will need to see how the hearings go.
Senate Republicans are mindful of their last confirmation fight in
2018, when Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations
of a teenage sexual assault almost derailed Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination.
■ Does the Senate have enough votes to move forward and confirm:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell does appear to have the votes, for now.
■ Republicans control the Senate by a 53-47 margin, meaning he could lose up to three Republican votes and still confirm a justice, if Vice President Mike Pence were to break a 50-50 tie.
■ Can the democrats stop the vote: There isn’t much they can do. Republicans are in charge and make the rules, and they appear to have the votes for Trump’s nominee, at least for now.
Democrats have vowed to oppose the nomination, and they are likely to use an assortment of delaying tactics.
None of those efforts can stop the nomination, however.
■ How long does it usually take to confirm a Supreme Court justice: Supreme Court nominations have taken around 70 days to move through the Senate.
■ Could the Senate fill the vacancy after the election: Yes. Republicans could still vote on Trump’s nominee in what’s known as the lame-duck session that takes place after the November election and before the next Congress takes office Jan. 3.
The Senate would have until Jan. 20, the date of the presidential inauguration, to act on Trump’s nominee.
If Trump were re-elected and Barrett had not been confirmed by the inauguration, he could renominate her as soon as his second term began.