{"id":2175,"date":"2020-10-06T15:09:15","date_gmt":"2020-10-06T20:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=2175"},"modified":"2020-10-06T15:38:35","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T20:38:35","slug":"supreme-court-opens-new-session-amid-covid-19-and-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2020\/10\/06\/supreme-court-opens-new-session-amid-covid-19-and-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Supreme Court opens new session amid COVID-19 and controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"\"whitehouse\"\r\n
President Donald Trump announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court during an event at the White House on September 25, 2020. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, two key Republicans and several other attendees have since tested positive for COVID-19. Photo: Amy Rossetti \/ White House<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n
Supreme Court opens new session amid COVID-19 and controversy<\/div>\r\n
Tuesday, October 6, 2020<\/div>\r\n
By Acee Agoyo<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nAmid growing uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>, the U.S. Supreme Court<\/a> opened its new term on Monday, as Republicans remain intent on confirming a conservative judge with virtually no experience in Indian law <\/a> to the nation’s highest judicial body.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nEven though two GOP members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary<\/a> have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, the panel’s Republican leader still plans<\/a> to hold a confirmation hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett<\/a> next Monday as planned. The rush to move forward drew a sharp condemnation from Sen. Tom Udall<\/a> (D-New Mexico), the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs<\/a>, who said tribal concerns aren’t being taken into account.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cInstead of pushing a partisan nomination process through the Senate during a critical moment in our country\u2019s history, Senate Republicans should respect the federal government\u2019s duty\u2014and trust obligation\u2014to engage in meaningful tribal consultation on the impact this vital nominee will have on Indian Country\u2019s future,\u201d said Udall, who is retiring at the end of the current legislative session. \u201cThey must stop putting partisan politics ahead of our core democratic principles and let the American people decide who nominates the next Supreme Court justice.\u201d \r\n

<\/p>\r\nBut with Democrats outnumbered in the U.S. Senate<\/a>, there appears to be little they can do to stop Barrett from advancing. The two Judiciary members who tested positive — Sen. Mike Lee<\/a> (R-Utah) and Sen. Thom Tillis<\/a> (R-North Carolina) — are cutting their coronavirus quarantines short in order to be in Washington for an anticipated committee vote on the nomination.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nWithout Lee and Tillis present, Republicans might not be able to move forward with Barrett. The GOP holds 12 seats on the committee, compared to 10 for the Democrats, so every vote counts.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

Republicans should end their attempt to force through a #SCOTUS<\/a> nominee with dangerous implications for all Native communities. The GOP quest to destroy the Affordable Care Act would throw the IHS into chaos & jeopardize Native communities\u2019 work to fight COVID-19. #WhatsAtStake<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/Tp7dOsviWN<\/a><\/p>— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) October 5, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>