The full Senate won’t return to the Capitol until Oct. 19 — two weeks later than planned — after at least three Republicans tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday.
But Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for President Trump’s Supreme Court pick, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, will move forward on schedule, he added.
“The Senate’s floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough, fair and historically supported confirmation process,” McConnell wrote Saturday. “All Republican members of the committee will participate in these important hearings.”
He tweeted he had “another great call” with President Trump on Saturday, one day after the president announced he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus. Trump was later taken to Walter Reed Medical Center out of an “abundance of caution” hours later, and was expected to remain there for at least a few days.
“He sounds well and says he’s feeling good. We talked about the people’s business — fighting the pandemic, confirming Judge Barrett, and strengthening the economy for American families. Let’s keep our President & First Lady in our prayers,” McConnell, R-Ky., wrote.
MCCONNELL SAYS TRUMP ‘SOUNDS WELL’ AFTER CALL TO DISCUSS PANDEMIC, AMY CONEY BARRETT
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. said Saturday the full Senate will return to the Capitol on Oct. 19. (Associated Press)
Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., both of the judiciary committee, confirmed they had tested positive Friday.
Another judiciary panel member, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., tweeted Saturday evening that he had tested negative.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., assured Friday the first hearing for Barrett would happen Oct. 12 as scheduled and said any members of the panel can join remotely if they need to.
On Saturday, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., became the latest U.S. senator to announce he had tested positive. (Johnson is not a member of the judiciary committee.)
Other Republicans senators said they’re waiting for results.
Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett is seen on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Washington. (Associated Press)
TRUMP’S MEDICAL TEAM SAYS HE IS DOING ‘VERY WELL’; OFFICIAL WARNS NEXT 48 HOURS ARE ‘CRITICAL’
Numerous GOP lawmakers attended a White House Rose Garden ceremony Sept. 26 where Trump announced Barrett’s nomination.
With at least three Republican senators infected and others awaiting results, McConnell was without a fully working majority of 50 senators. He would need to rely on Vice President Mike Pence to be on hand to break any tie votes.
Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., balked at the idea Barrett’s confirmation hearings would go forward.
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The Republicans’ “monomaniacal drive to confirm Judge Barrett at all costs needlessly threatens the health and safety of Senators, staff, and all those who work in the Capitol complex,” Schumer said in a statement. He didn’t say Democrats would block the majority leader’s plan, which would require bringing senators back to the Capitol.
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