Justice Amy Coney Barrett, appointed by Trump to the US Supreme Court, defends her candidacy before the Senate

• USA.Amy Coney Barrett, an ultraconservative to replace Ginsburg at the head of the Supreme

The United States Senate began the confirmation process for Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the conservative judge nominated by President Donald Trump, to the Supreme Court on Monday, just days before the November 3 presidential election.

The 48-year-old conservative magistrate was selected on Sept. 26 by the Republican president to succeed progressive feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died eight days before from cancer.

Under the Constitution, she must obtain the endorsement of the Senate to enter the temple of American law, where already five of the nine members are conservative judges.

Democrats and their candidate, Joe Biden, claim to wait for the verdict at the polls before seeking to fill that extremely influential, life-appointed post, but Trump wants to move forward as quickly as possible to satisfy voters on the religious right.

On Monday morning, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Republican Lindsey Graham, made clear the intention of his caucus: "

who is behind Biden in polls three weeks before the election.

"If they want a fight for Amy Barrett, they will have it," he told Fox, referring to Democrats as the judge addressed Congress with her family.

Barrett is well regarded in traditional Christian circles, with whom she shares values, beginning with a vocal opposition to abortion and an adherence to the concept of a couple as the union "of a man and a woman," according to a letter sent to the pope in 2015.

A practicing Catholic, the mother of seven children, including two adopted from Haiti and a little boy with Down syndrome,

.

His membership of a small group of Catholics, the People of Praise, who follow rites far from the official canon, has been the subject of special attention in recent days.

"People of faith"

But the magistrate, with a reputation for making carefully crafted legal arguments, says she knows how to distinguish her personal convictions from her work as a judge.

Before the senators, he should stress that he always strives to do "everything possible to reach the result required by law, whatever my personal preferences."

"The courts are not made to solve every problem or correct every mistake in our public life. Public policy decisions (...) must be made by the political branches that are elected and are accountable to the people," he should say in his presentation. , published by various media.

In addition to Barrett's performance at the hearing, observers will also be watching a particular member of the judicial commission in charge of the questioning: Senator Kamala Harris, Biden's running mate.

Defenders of the magistrate consider that she is the victim of hostility for her devotion.

"The ongoing attacks by Democrats in the Senate and the media on Judge Barrett's faith are a disgrace," said Upper House Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"We hope he gets a fair hearing and that we don't see the kind of attacks on his Christian faith

,

Vice President Mike Pence said during his debate with Harris.

In a country where only a quarter of the population declares themselves atheistic or without religion, the Democratic senator was careful to avoid the pitfall.

"Joe Biden and I are people of faith and it is insulting to suggest that we might attack someone for their faith,"

Harris responded.

Without referring to the magistrate, Harris repeated that it was impossible to confirm her after "four million Americans have already voted" early.

And he insisted on the fact that a modified Supreme Court could overturn former President Barack Obama's iconic health law, which expanded health insurance coverage to millions of people.

"Astronaut suit"

Despite their opposition to the confirmation of the "ACB" judge, the Democrats have little means to block the process.

McConnell controls the Senate calendar and procedures, and

.

Although two of them - Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins - said they would not vote for Barrett before Nov. 3, Republicans have enough votes to give the magistrate the go-ahead.

Only Covid-19 could harm the calendar: three Republican senators, Mike Lee, Thom Tillis and Ron Johnson, tested positive for the virus and have been in isolation for a few days.

The first two, who sit on the judicial committee, will be able to participate by videoconference in the questioning of Barrett.

But all three will need to be physically present for the vote in plenary, which could represent a potential health security issue.

Proof of his determination to achieve this victory before the election, Johnson said he was willing to go to the Senate "in a space suit" if necessary.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

• Senate

• Joe biden

• United States

• Donald trump

• Barack Obama

Wide Angle The Supreme Court: America's High Priests

United States Donald Trump wants to quickly appoint Ginsburg's successor and "most likely a woman"

United States Offensive to confirm Donald Trump's judge

See links of interest

• News

• Programming

• Translator

• Calendar

• Films

• Topics

• Coronavirus

• Madrid

• Real Zaragoza - Albacete

• Herbalife Gran Canaria - Real Madrid

• Ponferradina - FC Cartagena

• Real Oviedo - Sporting de Gijón