Judge Amy Coney Barrett's path to the Supreme Court is moving forward at breakneck speed and could set a record for the fastest time a person has been confirmed to the Supreme Court in 45 years.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death on September 18 kicked off a race to confirm President Donald Trump's nominee before the November 3 election. Democrats argue that it defies a precedent Republicans set in 2016, when they said the Senate should wait until after a forthcoming election to confirm someone to the court. But Republicans have the votes needed to fill Ginsburg's seat, which means Democrats are left with little power to stop the process from moving forward.
Only 13 days elapsed from the time Trump sent Barrett's nomination to the Senate to her first committee hearing, a speed not seen since President Gerald Ford nominated John Paul Stevens in 1975, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Barrett's predecessor, Ginsburg, took more than twice as long.
A vote on the Senate floor is expected to take place around October 26, and if Barrett is confirmed before the election, it'll break the record for speed. Since 1975, on average, confirming a Supreme Court justice has taken 70 days, from official nomination to the final vote, the CRS said.
Even if the Senate is up against the wire for confirming Barrett and doesn't do so until November 2, the 34 days between her official nomination and confirmation would be eight days faster than the process for Ginsburg. Stevens holds the record since 1975, having been confirmed in just 19 days.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expects the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on Barrett's nomination on October 22. After the process in the committee concludes, her nomination goes to the full Senate for a vote. Republicans in that chamber are believed to have enough votes to put her on the court.
Amy Coney Barrett Confirmation Timeline
September 18: Ginsburg dies.
September 26: Trump announces his intention to nominate Barrett to the Supreme Court. In an event at the White House's Rose Garden, he calls her one of America's "most brilliant and gifted legal minds" and a woman of "unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution."
September 29: Trump sends Barrett's nomination to the Senate.
September 29-October 7: Barrett meets with members of the Senate in person and by phone.
October 1: Trump tests positive for the coronavirus. Senator Mike Lee, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also tests positive.
October 2: Senator Thom Tillis, another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, tests positive for the virus. Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Committee, pledges to continue with Barrett's hearings as scheduled.
October 12: Senate Judiciary Committee hearings begin.
October 14: The committee concludes its questioning of Barrett.
October 15: The fourth and final day of committee hearings, senators have the opportunity to question outside witnesses, including Amanda Rauh-Bieri, a former law clerk for Barrett, and Laura Wolk, the first blind woman to clerk on the U.S. Supreme Court. Wolk previously called Barrett her mentor. Stacy Staggs, a mother of twins, shares the impact overturning the Affordable Care Act would have on her family and Crystal Good, speaks about the importance of reproductive rights and justice. Good had to seek court approval for an abortion at 16 years old because the law in her state required her to have parent or guardian approval.
The committee schedules a vote on Barrett's nomination for October 22.
October 22: The Senate Judiciary Committee votes to advance Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court to the full Senate for a vote. The vote was 12-0 and was boycotted by all 10 Democratic senators on the panel.
This timeline will be updated as the story develops.
