Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Barrett Nomination over Democratic Boycott

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-0 to advance Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate. The committee’s ten Democratic members boycotted the vote by refusing to attend the committee hearing. Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham moved forward without the Democrats, despite committee rules requiring at least two members of the minority to be present for a vote. Graham instead followed broader Senate rules only requiring a simple majority of committee members for a vote. A full Senate vote on Barrett’s nomination is expected Monday. Coverage in left-rated outlets was more likely to refer to the boycott as “symbolic” and to include that no Supreme Court nominee has ever been confirmed this close to a presidential election. Coverage in right-rated outlets tended to say that the committee voted “unanimously” to move forward with confirmation.