Hearing for Trump's Supreme Court pick begins -NHK WORLD -JAPAN 1 hour ago
The US Senate Judiciary Committee started the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Monday.
Barrett was picked by President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is the committee's chairperson, noted that some Democrats are voicing their opposition. But Graham insisted that the Senate is doing its duty " constitutionally."
Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said the presidential election is just 22 days away and that voting is underway in 40 states.
Feinstein asserted, "Senate Republicans are pressing forward, full speed ahead, to consolidate the court that will carry their policies forward."
For her part Barrett said, " I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg's seat, but no one will ever take her place" and that " I will be forever grateful for the path she marked and the life she led."
She added, "if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, I pledge to faithfully and impartially discharge my duties."
Trump and other Republicans apparently want her to be confirmed by the end of this month in order to appeal to their conservative base.
But his Democratic rival Joe Biden argues that a conservative majority on the Supreme Court will pose a threat to the country's medical insurance system and other rights.
