The presiding officer pursuant to rule 4, paragraph 2, the senate having been in continuous session, the senate will suspend for a prayer from the senate chaplain. The chaplain let us pray. Holy god, as our lawmakers strive on this decisive day in history to accomplish your purposes, show them how to discern your will. May they renew their minds through the in yourishment of your an hourishment of your holly word. Lord, prepare them to be sober minded and filled with your spirit, accomplishing the tasks that receive your approval. Lord, keep them from conforming to worldly impulses, as they strive to ensure that their conduct will rightly represent you. May they conduct themselves with holiness, godliness, and civility, waiting for the day when you will return to establish your kingdom on earth. Lord, prepare us all to stand before you in peace without spot or blemish. We pray in your powerful name. Amen. Mr. Lee mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from utah. Mr. Lee mr. P
Bird will judge barretts family, welcome. Barrettserrick family, family, welcome. I appreciate everyones cooperation. Will have a hearing that hopefully the country will learn more about judge merrick and the and willdge barrett learn more about the law and maybe the differences in the party. As to the hearing room, i doubt if there is any room in the country given more attention and detail to make sure city of the architect of the capitol working with the attending physician has set up the room in a fashion we can safely do our business. Senator lee is back and has been cleared by your physician. Welcome back. The covid problem in america is real. It is serious, dangerous, and we have to mitigate the risk. I would let every american know that many of you going to work today and have probably been at work today, and hope your employer will take care of your health care needs, but we do have a country that needs to move forward safely. Millions of americans, cops, todaysses, going to wo
Leader. I ask unanimous consent that with. Uorum be dispensed without objection. Well, mr. President , i just turned the republican leader say there is no inconsistency between what republicans are amy coney ith confirmation and garlands. Who would believe that . The contradiction is glaring and sustained on the leaders forehead and on the entire Republican Caucus if it continues. Weve heard, we just heard another warped, distorted and History Lesson from leader mcconnell. Defensive he is bout the blatant 180 degree hypocritical turn hes made on Supreme Court nominations. Distorted warped not remove theon will notHistory Lesson remove the stain. Plain and simple. A rare meet here on saturday session because there is nothing, nothing remotely the republican drive to confirm judge barrett Supreme Court only days before president ial election. Four years ago, four years ago, Republican Senate said it was a principle, that word, principle, that Supreme Court justices should not be confirme
[cameras shuttering] [indistinct chatter] [gavel banging] good morning, everyone. Welcome back. Judge, thank you. A good day yesterday. Your family did great. You look good. Today is to door our first round of 30 minute questioning. Each senator will have 30 minutes to interact with judge merrick and then we will follow up with a second round of 20 minutes. Today, not get it done but we should get through the first 30 minutes and then come back wednesday and finish up and then we will go about our business. I will make sure i stay within 30 minutes and if i can shorten it, i will. Let us get to it. You can start the clock. You can relax a bit, judge, and take your mask off. Yesterday, we had a lot of discussion about Affordable Health care. What i am going to try to do briefly this morning is demonstrate the difference between politics and judging. All of my colleagues on the other side had very emotional obamacare, charts of people with preexisting conditions. I went to give you my si
The Senate Returns today and they vote later on a house passed resolution disapproving a new federal rule revising oversight oflow income banking services. Later in the week , a vote on a gop backed coronavirus Economic Relief bill. They will also take up the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. Live now to the senate floor on cspan2. In the law and the prophets. We praise you for this profound maxim to guide our ethical conduct. May it provide our lawmakers with wisdom to make sound decisions and strength to walk in the way of justice and freedom for all. We pray in your wonderful name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Grassley madam president. The presiding officer the president pro tempore. Mr. Grassley one minute for morning business, please. Th