Just 44% of voters think the Senate should go ahead with hearings and a vote on Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court before the elections, with 52% opposed. An even larger majority opposes one of the most likely outcomes of Barrett being seated on the court—the overturn of Roe v. Wade. But Senate Republicans are determined to get this thing done with what they clearly anticipate will be some of their last weeks in power, and Barrett’s confirmation hearing starts Monday.
Monday’s proceedings won't get to the questions at the heart of a confirmation hearing. Instead, Barrett and committee members will make opening statements. (Should be riveting viewing!) Barrett, chosen for her total fealty to the far right, will claim that “Americans of all backgrounds deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written.”
Barrett will get questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, at least some of which should center on the fact that she conveniently omitted important parts of her record from her Senate questionnaire and document submissions. Important parts like signing an anti-abortion ad calling for “an end to the barbaric legacy of Roe vs. Wade,” and talks she gave to anti-abortion organizations.
Senate Republicans are determined to push ahead with the hearings despite the fact that two Republican members of the committee, Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, tested positive for coronavirus in the wake of the superspreader event at which Barrett’s nomination was officially announced, and subsequently attended a committee meeting. The committee chair, Lindsey Graham, refused to take a coronavirus test as a condition for debating late last week, leading to questions about whether he’s hiding something.
Sen. Kamala Harris will participate remotely. Harris drew national attention through her tough, focused questioning of Brett Kavanaugh at his confirmation hearing, so combining that with her current role as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, her questions are hotly anticipated.
The thing is, while Barrett is a truly abysmal candidate who is going to get up there and lie about her desire to overturn Roe v. Wade, she’s beside the point. The point is that Republicans are and have been packing the courts, and it needs to end.