GOP-led Senate committee advances nominee Barrett

WASHINGTON — Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans powered past a Democratic boycott Thursday to advance Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate, keeping President Trump’s pick on track for confirmation before election day.

Democratic senators refused to show up in protest of the GOP’s rush to install Trump’s nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Never has the Senate confirmed a Supreme Court nominee so close to a presidential election.

All 12 Republicans on the panel voted in favor of Barrett, a conservative judge. Noshow Democrats displayed posters at their desks of Americans they say have benefited from the Affordable Care Act now being challenged in court. Senators plan to convene a rare weekend session ahead of a final confirmation vote expected Monday.

Republicans have bristled at Democrats’ claim that the Affordable Care Act is in jeopardy if Barrett joins the court, but Trump told CBS “it will be so good” if the court puts an end to the law. The court will hear a Trumpbacked case against the “Obamacare” law on Nov. 10.

Barrett, 48, would lock a 63 conservative court majority for the foreseeable future. That could open a new era of rulings on abortion access, samesex marriage and even the results of the presidential election.

Republicans have focused on Barrett’s Catholic faith, calling her a role model for conservative and religious women.