Pandemic, politics invade Senate confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett

Three weeks before America elects a president amid a pandemic and with Democrats condemning the process, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday set about advancing a Supreme Court justice who could serve for decades to come.

The result appeared preordained as Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the committee chairman, said at the outset. But over four days, conservative federal appeals court Judge Amy Coney Barrett appears certain to face tough questions in her quest to succeed the late liberal Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

"This is a vacancy that occurred...