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WASHINGTON: US Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett will tell senators at her high-stakes confirmation hearing this week that she will approach cases based on the law, not her personal views, as the Democrats urged her to step aside in an upcoming Obamacare challenge. the law and any possible dispute related to the elections.
The four-day Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for the conservative appeals court judge will begin Monday, a key step before a full final vote in the Senate at the end of October on her nomination for a lifetime job at the cut.
In a copy of her prepared statements released Sunday, Barrett said that as a judge she seeks “to achieve the outcome required by law, whatever my preferences.”
Barrett, 48, said in the statement that it will be a “lifelong honor” to serve alongside the current eight judges and explained how he handles cases.
“When I write an opinion to solve a case, I read every word from the perspective of the losing party. I wonder how the decision would view if one of my children was the party I was ruling against,” he wrote.
Barrett’s confirmation to replace the late Liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would create a conservative 6-3 majority in court that could lead to rulings that revoke abortion rights, expand religious and gun rights, and maintain voting restrictions. backed by Republicans, among other issues.
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Democratic opposition to Barrett on policy issues has focused on his possible role in deciding a Supreme Court case in which Trump and the Republican-led states seek to invalidate the Health Care Act health care law. Affordable Health Care (ACA), often called Obamacare.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday that Barrett should, if confirmed, step aside from the case, which is scheduled to be discussed in court on Nov. 10.
“She is not impartial and that is why she should recuse herself,” he said.
A key Obamacare provision that would be scrapped if the court repeals the law that prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Democrats have criticized Trump for trying to end Obamacare protections amid a pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 Americans.
Schumer also said that Barrett should refrain from any case involving the presidential election because of statements made by Trump in which the president has said the court is likely to have election cases. Trump, who is running for re-election against Democrat Joe Biden, has indicated that he would expect the court to rule in his favor if Barrett is confirmed.
Under the existing rules, individual judges have the final say on whether to recuse.
Senate Republican leaders rejected Democratic pleas to delay the hearing after two members of the Republican Judiciary Committee and Trump himself tested positive for the coronavirus in the days following his Sept. 26 White House ceremony in which he announced. to Barrett as his nominee.
Barrett, who will appear in person, is scheduled to deliver his opening statement to the committee on Monday, and senators will also make opening remarks. Each senator has the last call on whether to attend in person. Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, will participate remotely due to health concerns, a spokesperson said Sunday.
Barrett will face questions from senators on Tuesday and Wednesday, starting with committee chair Lindsey Graham, for what promises to be grueling all-day sessions. The hearing is due to conclude Thursday with outside witnesses testifying about their qualifications.
With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Barrett’s confirmation seems assured. Democrats are still furious that McConnell is rushing to confirm Barrett as the election approaches, after blocking Democratic President Barack Obama’s candidate from being considered to fill a 2016 Supreme Court vacancy during an election year.
Graham has said his committee will likely vote on the nomination on Oct. 22, setting up a Senate vote for the end of the month.
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“We can easily get it confirmed before the election,” he said Sunday in an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ABORTION
Barrett is also expected to face Democratic questioning about abortion. In 2006, while teaching law at the University of Notre Dame, Barrett, a devout Catholic, added her name to an ad opposing “abortion on demand” that appeared in a local newspaper in Indiana and also signed a similar statement in 2013. revealed on Friday.
Conservative Christian activists have long waited for the court to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that legalized abortion across the country.
During his 2017 confirmation hearing for his current judge position, Barrett said his religious faith would not affect his decisions in court.
Republicans have said questions about Barrett’s religious faith should be off limits, and Democrats have so far indicated that they won’t focus on that. Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono said Sunday in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Barrett’s religious views were “irrelevant.”
