Supreme Court to Open New Term While Confirmation Hearings Continue

The Supreme Court will open a new term via teleconference Monday with one open seat, and the U.S. Senate moves forward on confirmation hearings despite two Republicans on the Judiciary Committee testing positive for coronavirus this week. On Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said high court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings will continue on Oct. 12. Barrett, who was with the president last Saturday during her nomination, tested negative this week, after recovering from the virus earlier this summer. This term, the Supreme Court will likely hear arguments to overturn Obama-era healthcare, address mail-in voting policies and hear arguments over whether Congress can access files from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. Coverage from all sides of the political spectrum tended to analyze the issues likely to face the court in the upcoming term. Right-rated outlets tended to highlight Barrett's negative COVID-19 test and her likelihood of being confirmed before the election.