Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are urging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, not to rush Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett amid COVID-19 concerns.
“It is premature for Chairman Graham to commit to a hearing schedule when we do not know the full extent of potential exposure stemming from the president’s infection and before the White House puts in place a contact tracing plan to prevent further spread of the disease,” Schumer and Feinstein said in a statement on Friday.
They added, “The unfortunate news about the infection of our colleague Senator Mike Lee makes even more clear that health and safety must guide the schedule for all Senate activities, including hearings.”
Schumer and Feinstein noted a virtual confirmation hearing is not sufficient for a lifetime appointment.
They argued the confirmation poses as a threat to the Affordable Care Act and health coverage for more than 7 million COVID-19 survivors.
“It’s critical that Chairman Graham put the health of senators, the nominee and staff first – and ensure a full and fair hearing that is not rushed, not truncated, and not virtual. Otherwise this already illegitimate process will become a dangerous one,” Schumer and Feinstein wrote.
Their statement comes hours after President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced they tested positive for the coronavirus, as IJR previously reported.
Senate Republicans revealed on Friday they will move forward with the confirmation process despite Trump’s diagnosis, as IJR previously reported.
Judiciary Committee hearings are still set to begin on Oct. 12.
“I think we can move forward. Our biggest enemy, obviously, is…the coronavirus, keeping everybody healthy and well and in place to do our job,” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said during an interview with radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt.
According to a White House official, Barrett has tested negative for the coronavirus.