President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court arrived on Capitol Hill on Tuesday morning, appearing alongside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Vice President Mike Pence.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett will visit with several Republican senators on Tuesday, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, plans to begin Barrett’s confirmation hearing on Oct. 12 and said the panel will vote to advance her nomination to the floor on Oct. 22.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, told reporters in the Capitol that senators “are glad to have her here and glad to get the process started.”
Democrats oppose moving forward with Barrett’s nomination, arguing it should wait until the next president is sworn in next year.
So far, no Democrats are scheduled to meet with Barrett.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he will skip the traditional pre-hearing meeting.
Judiciary Committee members Mazie Hirono and Richard Blumenthal, Democrats from Hawaii and Connecticut, respectively, said they won’t meet with Barrett, either.
Pence praised Barrett on Tuesday during a brief press conference in the Capitol ahead of her meeting with McConnell.
“We have someone of great character, of great intellect, who has a judicial philosophy that will uphold the Constitution of the United States,” Pence said, adding that Trump “discharged his duty” as president to nominate Barrett for the Senate to consider.
In addition to Graham and McConnell, Barrett will meet with Republican Sens. Mike Crapo of Idaho, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Ted Cruz of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, Mike Lee of Utah, and Rick Scott of Florida.
