Pandemic that has already claimed more than 225,000 american lives. We are 00 mere eight days away we are a mere eight days a away from a president ial election. Donald trump announced his nomination of judge barrett even before we could fully mourn the death of the great Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg. And Senate Republicans then rushed this nomination to the senate floor. In doing so, they violated the rule that their leader, Mitch Mcconnell, imposed in 2016 which kept Merrick Garland off the Supreme Court after president obama nominated him in february of that year to fill the vacancy that arose with the death of justice antonin scalia. That rule was clear. That rule was concise. That rule was definitive. The senate would not consider a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court during a president ial election year. Many of my republican colleagues echoed leader mcconnells pledge. In fact, my colleague, senator Lindsey Graham, who chairs the judiciary committee, admonished us to
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
The nation passes 200,000 related deaths another super ee ozarks what does the latest tik tok deal mean for fans its monday. Its early today starts right now. A giant of a Supreme Court now cast a long shadow over the 2020 election. The late Justice Ruth Baden Ginsburg was truly an icon, an inspiration to an entire generation her Lasting Impact felt across the country. Her death on friday tore open a fierce new schism. President trump and Top Republicans want to quickly fill the vacancy. Former president obama called on republican senators to honor the same standard they set with merritt garland four and a half years ago. Tracie potts joins with us the latest the stakese of the court and af decisions for years even a an a saw four years ago when republicans held up the nomination of judge merritt garland for months before the election and democrats insisted it needed to happen under the current president. Now the roles are reversed, and theres a big fight on capitol hill about how to r
To conservatives in and out of the courts, say, stop. Judges should not be this way, that theres another way to do this. It is an incalculable loss, husband death, to the conservative movement. And as we heard, from chief justice roberts, to the court. He was a manwho, with a relish for life, that was infek chus, a great sense of humor and a gift for friendship. Among those mourning on the court, his best friend on the court, really, Justice Ruth Bader r nsburg, the most liberal justice. They were very Close Friends for many years, and even justice el late that y ena elena kagan, was charmed by him. He introduced her to quail hunting and she went with him every year. So, he was a remarkable man. Controversial ideas. Heas the boogie man for many, many liberals in and out o the courts. But no question, while there may not be a scalia era on the court, you cant point to that many rulings he won, theres scalia influence on the court and in the law. And terry, you pointed out with me on the
If Brett Kavanaughs confirmed to the Supreme Court it will have profoundly negative effects on workers rights, Womens Rights and Voting Rights for decades to come. All i can say within an hour and 18 minutes of your nomination, you became the biggest threat to democracy. In the eyes of some of the most partisan people in the country who would hold kagan and sotomayor up as highly qualified and would challenge any republican, vote against them. You live in unusual times as i do. You should get more than 90 votes but you wont, and i am sorry it has gotten to where it has. Its got nothing to do about you. If you dont mind, and you dont have to, what did you tell your children yesterday about the hearing . They did as they ill tell them what they told me. They gave me a big hug and said, good job, daddy, and margaret, before she went to bed made a special trip down and gave me a special hug. I just wish if we could have a hearing where the nominees kids could show up. Is that asking too mu