The Senate voted to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett with 52 Republican votes and over the objections of Democrats, who say Barrett was nominated too close to the election and will shift the centrist court far to the right.
While Republicans rejoiced at Barrett’s confirmation, some Democrats are now threatening to expand the high court with new liberal judges if they take over the majority in next week’s election.
The Senate, meanwhile, won’t be back for legislative business until a post-election, lame-duck session, dashing any last minute hope that Congress would pass a new round of coronavirus aid before Nov. 3.
Barrett, 48, will be sworn in at the White House later Monday and will take her place in time to hear a critical Supreme Court case that will decide whether Obamacare is legal without the now-eliminated individual mandate.