Amy Coney Barrett to begin meeting Senate Republicans
Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, will begin meeting with senators on Tuesday, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, according to a senior administration official.
In addition to McConnell (R-Ky.), Barrett will also meet with several Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Chair Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mike Lee of Utah and Mike Crapo of Idaho. She will also meet with Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota and Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Rick Scott of Florida.
Trump nominated Barrett on Saturday to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, setting off a contentious fight just weeks away from the presidential election.
Barrett, who sits on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is expected to receive wide support from Senate Republicans. Several Senate Democrats, meanwhile, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, have already said they will not meet with Barrett, arguing that given the proximity to the election, whoever is elected president should fill the vacancy.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin Barrett’s confirmation hearings on Oct. 12. The hearings are expected to last four days. Over the weekend, Graham suggested that Barrett would be voted out of committee on Oct. 22.
Senate Republicans are widely expected to confirm Barrett ahead of the Nov. 3 election.