Sens. Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein believe that there should be a delay in the confirmation process of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
The pair penned a statement on Friday, calling on Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham to delay the hearings and hold off on committing to a scheduled time for them because of the coronavirus.
News spread early on Friday morning that President Trump had tested positive for COVID-19. Later that day, Sen. Mike Lee confirmed that he had tested positive as well.
“It is premature for Chairman Graham to commit to a hearing schedule when we do not know the full extent of potential exposure stemming from the president’s infection and before the White House puts in place a contact tracing plan to prevent further spread of the disease,” Schumer and Feinstein wrote. “The unfortunate news about the infection of our colleague Senator Mike Lee makes even more clear that health and safety must guide the schedule for all Senate activities, including hearings.”
The statement concluded, “It’s critical that Chairman Graham put the health of senators, the nominee, and staff first — and ensure a full and fair hearing that is not rushed, not truncated, and not virtual. Otherwise this already illegitimate process will become a dangerous one.”
Republicans maintain a slim majority in the Senate. If a few of their caucus members are unable to be present at the hearings and vote, that could threaten their ability to confirm Barrett.
The hearing is currently scheduled to commence on Oct. 12. The questioning of the judge is set to begin the following day.
