Democrats Plan to Boycott Senate Vote on Amy Coney Barrett Nomination

By Dana Cruz Oct 22 2020, 07:51 AM EDT

Senate Democrats are planning to boycott the vote on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Thursday.

However, it appears there is little that Democrats can do to stop Senate Republicans from rushing to confirm Barrett before Election Day, said Associated Press.

Democrats Plan to Boycott Senate Vote on Amy Coney Barrett Nomination — Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett meets with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Capitol Hill on October 21, 2020 in Washington, DC. Jonathan Newton-Pool/Getty Images

A USA Today report called the boycott attempt a "longshot attempt" that shows a slim chance of stalling the proceedings in the Senate.

Despite the boycott plans, the Judiciary Committee, which is controlled by the GOP, will likely change the rules if needed to get the nomination to the full Senate. They will still hold the committee vote on Thursday and push through with the nomination.

Senators plan to take a rare weekend session to secure Barrett's confirmation on Monday. That gives them only eight days before the election day.

This is the first time a Supreme Court nominee will ever be confirmed so close to a presidential election.

Schumer Questions Barrett's Views

The plan to boycott was announced by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in a speech late Wednesday.

He said the Senate "should not be moving forward" with the proceedings, calling the judge's views as "so far out of the mainstream." Schumer forced a vote to recess the Senate under after the elections, but it failed.

Following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set a fast-tracked path to Barrett's confirmation.

If the confirmation pushes through on Monday, Barrett will be a part of the high court that same day.

The Republicans hold the majority of the Senate 53-47. Meaning, it's quite easy for Barrett to secure a seat in the court.

The Thursday boycott will not stop the process, but it could potentially force an altering of the rules to keep the proceedings on track.

Committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham said in a statement that Barrett "deserves a vote," so she will receive a vote. He added that Barrett also deserves to be in the high court, so she will be confirmed for it.

Democrats Plan to Block a Quorum

Committee rules dictate that at least two members of the Democratic Party will have to be present to constitute a quorum.

Schumer said this is exactly what they are not going to give the Senate on Thursday.

"We're not giving a quorum they need to provide. The rules require it," he said when asked if the boycott was simply a stunt.

Democrats said they plan to fill the Thursday seats with pictures of people who benefitted from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, reported CNN.

Barrett has been considered by Democrats as a threat to the ACA.

No Plans for Democrats Skipping?

Plans for when Democrats don't show were not mentioned by Graham. But it is clear that no Democrat in the Senate is expected to support the swift confirmation.

A former top aide to the panel, Mike Davis, said the committee could move forward even if Democrats skip. The practice, as Davis said, is to push through with proceedings if all members of the majority, Republicans, attend.

Republican senators Mike Lee and Thon Tillis both tested positive for COVID-19 but have since been cleared from quarantine. The panel also established remote operations during the pandemic.

There were two Republicans who objected to the swift proceedings: senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. But they are not on the panel. Even with these two opposing voices, the Republicans can have the votes to move forward.