Amy Coney Barrett Nomination Officially Advances Despite Boycott from Democrats By Kipp Jones
Published October 22, 2020 at 8:21am
Senate Republicans voted to move the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Senate floor for a full chamber vote, despite a boycott of the proceeding from Democrats.
The Senate Judiciary Committee measure to move Barrett forward passed early Thursday in a 12-0 vote, according to Fox News. A final confirmation vote is expected early next week.
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No Democrats on the Judiciary Committee showed up for the vote, instead opting to effectively boycott it.
“That was their choice. It will be my choice to vote the nominee out of committee,” committee chair Sen. Lindsey Graham said regarding the absence of Senate Democrats.
“We are not going to allow them to take over the committee. They made a choice not to participate,” the South Carolina Republican added.
Graham also commented on Democrats’ inability to halt the proceedings to confirm Barrett, citing their previous maneuvering to end the filibuster for most presidential nominees in 2013. Four years later, Republicans triggered the so-called “nuclear option” for Supreme Court nominees as well.
“I remember telling Sen. Schumer you will regret this,” Graham said. “Today he will regret it.”
Democrats had announced prior to Thursday that they would boycott the vote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York referred to Barrett’s confirmation process as “illegitimate".
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“Democrats will boycott the illegitimate markup tomorrow of Judge Barrett’s nomination in Judiciary and not provide the quorum required,” he tweeted.
“Health care is at stake. Rights are at stake. But the GOP’s showing they’re concerned only with raw political power.”
Schumer also declared, “We will not stop fighting.”
President Donald Trump, who nominated Barrett last month after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, commented Thursday morning on the Senate Judiciary Committee vote.
“Judiciary Committee approves Judge Barrett. Moves to full Senate for final vote. Big day for America!” he tweeted.
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