Dems to boycott Barrett vote as GOP pushes ahead
WASHINGTON >> Senate Democrats are set to boycott voting on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett at the Senate Judiciary Committee today, but there is little they can do to prevent Republicans from rushing to confirm President Donald Trump’s pick before Election Day.
The Judiciary Committee, which is controlled by Republicans, is expected to change the rules if necessary to recommend Barrett’s nomination to the full Senate. Senators are planning a rare weekend session to secure her confirmation on Monday.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced the planned boycott in a speech late Wednesday on the Senate floor.
“We should not be moving forward on this nomination,” he said, calling Barrett’s views “so far out of the mainstream.” No Supreme Court nominee has ever been confirmed so close to a presidential election. He immediately forced a vote to recess the Senate until after the Nov. 3 election, but it failed. “These are all such violations of American norms, values, decency and honor,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set Barrett’s confirmation on a fast track following the death last month of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If confirmed Monday, Barrett could be seated on the high court that same day.
With Republicans holding a 53- 47 majority in the Senate, Trump’s pick for the court is almost certain to be confirmed. Boycotting today’s committee hearing won’t stop the process, but could potentially force Republicans on the panel to alter the rules to keep the confirmation on track.
“Judge Barrett deserves a vote and she will receive a vote,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the committee chairman, said in a statement.