United States: hearing in the Senate, Judge Barrett in the face of attacks by Democrats
Justice Amy Coney Barrett on the first day of her hearing before the Senate for her appointment to the Supreme Court, October 12, 2020. Win McNamee / Pool via REUTERS
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
First day of hearing in the Senate this Monday, October 12 for Amy Coney Barrett, Donald Trump's candidate for the Supreme Court.
From her first day of hearing, this ultra-conservative 48-year-old magistrate had to face fire from criticism from Democratic senators who had unsuccessfully requested the postponement of the appointment of a new judge after the presidential election.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in San Francisco,
Eric de Salve
The strongest charge against Amy Coney Barrett came from Kamala Harris.
"
This hearing should have been postponed
", immediately launches
the running mate of Joe Biden
by videoconference.
"
It's irresponsible, it puts lives in danger
."
In the room, two Republican senators have indeed tested positive 10 days ago.
One of them Mike Lee from Utah also came without a mask to participate in this highly contested confirmation
of Donald Trump's nominee
for the Supreme Court, only 21 days before the presidential election.
"
This process is not legitimate,
" continues the Democratic candidate for the vice-presidency of the United States.
Third conservative judge appointed for life by Donald Trump, this fervent Catholic of 48 years will permanently change the ideological balance of the Supreme Court.
►
Read also: Supreme Court: the Senate hears Amy Coney Barrett in an unusual context
With this appointment, "
the equality of all before justice and the right to abortion are threatened
", worries Kamala Harris.
"
This judge also wants to withdraw their health insurance from millions of Americans and this in the midst of a pandemic
", asserts the senator from California.
Behind her mask Amy Coney Barrett cashed in then tried to reassure: "
A judge must apply the law as it is written and not as he would like it to be
" said this mother of 7 children, some of whom are represented in the room, sitting behind her.
Democrats know it is impossible
to reverse the process in the
face of a Republican majority which is united behind the choice of Donald Trump.
The Senate is expected to confirm Amy Coney Barrett with a last-minute vote just days before the November 3 presidential election.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
United States
On the same subject
Travelogue
United States: in the "rust belt", Trump and the gas boom
Covid-19 in the United States: Doctor Fauci denounces the recovery of his remarks by Donald Trump