American Judge Amy Barrett is expected to participate in a crucial hearing on Nov 10, where Trump and his fellow Republicans will ask the court to strike down the Affordable Care Act. (Photo by=Leigh Vogel-Pool/Getty Images) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The Republican-controlled US Senate is expected on Monday (Oct 26) to confirm President Donald Trump's nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, as the next justice to the Supreme Court, a move that will tilt the country's highest court further to the right for years to come.
No nominee to the Supreme Court has been confirmed by the Senate this close to a presidential election, with about 58 million ballots cast ahead of Election Day on Nov 3. The rush to confirm Barrett, 48, has divided Democrats and Republicans, who are expected to split along party lines on the final vote. Trump has said repeatedly he wants her in place to vote on any election-related cases that go to the court.
With Republicans controlling the chamber 53-47 and no sign of an internal revolt against the conservative appeals court judge succeeding liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Barrett might certainly take a lifetime appointment on the bench over universal Democratic opposition. Several Republicans who previously expressed concerns about rushing the process, including Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, are expected to approve Barrett's nomination. With Barrett confirmed, the Supreme Court will have a solid 6-3 conservative majority.