Overpowering Democratic opposition, Senate Republicans are set to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, securing President Donald Trump’s nominee a week before Election Day and a likely conservative court majority for years to come. Trump’s choice to fill the vacancy of the late liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg potentially opens a new era of rulings on abortion, the Affordable Care Act and even a potential dispute over his own election.
Democrats are unable to stop Monday’s outcome, Trump’s third justice to the court, as Republicans race to reshape the judiciary. Barrett is 48, and her confirmation will solidify the court’s rightward tilt.
Monday’s vote is the closest high court confirmation ever to a presidential election, and the first in modern times with no support from the minority party.
The spiking COVID-19 crisis has hung over the proceedings. Vice President Mike Pence’s office said Monday he would not preside at the Senate session unless his tie-breaking vote is needed after Democrats asked him to stay away when his aides tested positive for COVID-19.
