“You will be confirmed, God willing,” Chairman Graham said.
The hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be a Supreme Court Justice ended Friday.
All through the four days of hearings, senators peppered the president’s nominee with questions on her views regarding controversial issues that could come before the court, such as guns, the Affordable Care Act, and abortion. And through it all, Judge Barrett vowed to keep an open mind on any matter that comes before the nation’s highest court.
The committee also heard emotional and personal testimony from some of Judge Barrett’s former colleagues and advocates.
The next step toward her confirmation will be when the Senate Judiciary Committee votes to send her nomination to the floor. That vote is scheduled for October 22 at 1 p.m. EDT. The nomination Is expected to be forwarded in a vote that will largely be along party lines, although there are said to be some in the majority who will vote no, while others in the minority could cross over for a yes vote.
The date of the final vote in the Senate is still uncertain, but is likely to happen the week of October 26, just days ahead of the November 3 election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “We’ll go to the floor with her on Friday the 23rd and stay on it until we finish this. We have the votes.” It takes a simple majority of the 100-member chamber to vote in her favor. Some among the opposition have vowed to continue to block a vote.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, commended his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for remaining cordial throughout the hearing. To Judge Barrett, he said, ”You will be confirmed, God wiling.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to be prayerful and to seek God’s will as they prepare to cast their vote on October 22.
- For Majority Leader McDonnell as he directs the proceedings on the floor of the Senate prior to a full confirmation vote.
- For Judge Amy Coney Barrett and her family as they endure the period of waiting.
Sources: USA Today, Detroit Free Press, NPR
