Our live coverage has ended. See how it all unfolded below.
Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas as a Supreme Court justice at a White House ceremony tonight.
Thomas administered the official Constitutional Oath to Barrett during the outdoor ceremony.
Barrett, who is 48 years old, is likely to serve on the court for decades and will give conservatives a 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court, a shift in its makeup that could have dramatic implications for a range of issues that could come before it, including the future of the Affordable Care Act and any potential disputes regarding the 2020 election.
In remarks following her swearing-in ceremony, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett focused on telling Americans that she will do her job on the court “independently” from political branches, as well as her own preferences.
“My fellow Americans — even though we judges don’t face elections. We still work for you. It is your Constitution that establishes the rule of law and the judicial independence that is so central to it. The oath that I have solemnly taken tonight means at its core that I will do my job without any fear or favor and that I will do so independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences,” Barrett said in remarks from the South Lawn of the White House.
Barrett began remarks thanking President Trump, the Senate and White House aides, calling the process “rigorous.”
“It’s a privilege to be asked to serve my country in this office and I stand here tonight truly honored and humbled,” Barrett said.
Barrett also spoke about the confirmation process itself, saying it “made ever clear to me one of the fundamental differences between the federal judiciary and the United States Senate. And perhaps the most acute is the role of policy preferences.”
“It is the job of a senator to pursue her policy preferences. In fact, it would be a dereliction of duty to put policy goals aside. By contrast, it is the job of a judge to resist her policy preferences. It would be a dereliction of duty for her to give into them,” she said.
“The Judicial Oath captures the essence of the judicial duty — the rule of law must always control,” Barrett said.
President Trump spoke highly of Amy Coney Barrett during her swearing-in ceremony tonight, referring to her “sterling character.”
Trump went on to say that her “impeccable credentials were unquestioned, unchallenged and obvious to all.”
“Justice Barrett made clear she will issue rulings based solely upon a faithful reading of the law and the Constitution as written not legislate from the bench,” he said.
Trump told Barrett tonight: “As you take your oath tonight, the legacy of our ancestors falls to you.”
“The American people put their trust in you and their faith in you as you take up the task of defending our laws, our Constitution and this country we all love,” he said.
The White House has implemented social distancing measures at Amy Coney Barrett’s swearing-in ceremony at the White House this evening, one of the first times it has taken into consideration social distancing protocols.
The event is in sharp contrast to Barrett’s nomination announcement, which has been labeled by public health experts as a coronavirus superspreader event.
There are about 200 chairs out on the South Lawn this evening, which are separated a few feet from each other. Almost every attendee is also wearing a mask.
A number of senators were seen in the audience, including Sens. Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, James Lankford and Ron Johnson.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris criticized Republicans in a tweet, saying they “denied the will of the American people by confirming” Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
Harris also issued a statement after Barrett’s confirmation, saying “Senate Republicans jammed through this nomination in the middle of an election where over 60 million Americans have already voted.”
“The American people see this confirmation for what it is: an illegitimate move that will set our country back for generations,” the California senator also said in the statement. “Access to health care is now in jeopardy. Our voting rights are now in jeopardy. Workers’ rights are now in jeopardy. LGBTQ equality is now in jeopardy. The right to a safe and legal abortion is now in jeopardy. The ability to address a changing climate is now in jeopardy. And so much more.”
“I share the American people’s outrage at this rushed process to confirm a nominee who has the potential to do great harm,” she added.
Even as President Trump seeks to use Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court as a political win, the issue hasn’t been as prominent during his rallies as some of his advisers had hoped.
On Monday, it took Trump 51 minutes to mention Barrett during his rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was a similar story in Lititz, where Trump didn’t mention his third Supreme Court nomination until 54 minutes into his speech.
Trump raised the issue earlier on in his speech in Martinsburg. But generally the Supreme Court nomination has taken a backseat in his campaign speech and his political messaging.
Trump raised the nomination more often when it was in the news, including in September when crowds chanted “fill that seat” at Trump’s rallies.
But since then it’s been replaced by issues like Trump’s gripes with the media, his attacks on Joe Biden and the litany of grievances against his opponents.
Some of the President’s political allies wish he would use the nomination more to galvanize supporters. They see the issue as overwhelmingly positive for Trump and question why it’s not being used more on the campaign trail.
When she was nominated, some even suggested Barrett would act in appearances as another running mate for the President.
But on the campaign trail, Trump has made his rallies mostly about himself — leaving little room in the spotlight for anyone else.
Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the judicial oath to Judge Amy Coney Barrett tomorrow at the US Supreme Court.
The private ceremony will take place in the East Conference Room, according to a news release from the Supreme Court.
“Upon administration of that oath, she will be able to begin to participate in the work of the Court,” the release said.
A more formal investiture ceremony will take place at a later date.
The Senate has voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court, solidifying the court’s conservative majority.
The vote was 52-48.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is in a tough re-election fight, was the only GOP senator to cross party lines and vote with Democrats against the nomination after having expressed concerns that it’s too close to Election Day to consider a nominee.
The stakes in the Supreme Court battle are immense and come at a pivotal time in American politics in the run up to an election where control of Congress and the White House are on the line. Trump’s appointment of a new Supreme Court justice will mark the third of his tenure in office, giving Republicans a historic opportunity to deliver on the key conservative priority and campaign promise of transforming the federal courts through lifetime appointments.
Barrett, who is 48 years old, is likely to serve on the court for decades and will give conservatives a 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court, a shift in its makeup that could have dramatic implications for a range of issues that could come before it, including the future of the Affordable Care Act and any potential disputes regarding the 2020 election.
The confirmation vote comes after Senate Republicans, who hold a majority in the upper chamber, pushed ahead with one of the quickest nomination proceedings in modern times following the death of the late Justice and liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month.
Watch here:
The Senate is now taking the final vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Republicans need only a simple majority vote to elevate President Trump’s nominee to the high court and they are on track to do so.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is in a tough re-election fight, is expected to be the only GOP senator to vote against the nomination over concerns that it’s too close to Election Day to consider a nominee.
All Senate Democrats are expected to oppose the nomination.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is delivering his final remarks on the Senate floor right now on Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination.
But in what is unusual for the majority leader, he is delivering his speech largely to his GOP conference. He is turning to them and gesturing to them frequently. And like they did yesterday for the procedural vote, most of the GOP members are in their seats.
Democrats meanwhile are not sitting on the chamber. At one point, McConnell turned to the Democratic side of the aisle and noted they did not appear to be on the floor at the moment.
“By any objective standard, Judge Barrett deserves to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. The American people agree. In just a few minutes, she’ll be on the Supreme Court,” he said.
McConnell’s speech, which is part lecture on the judicial history of the modern Senate and part pep talk for his conference, comes as we expect just one GOP defection: Sen. Susan Collins.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed the GOP push to swiftly confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett this evening in a floor speech ahead of the final confirmation vote.
“After refusing a Democratic nominee to the Supreme Court because an election was eight months away, they will confirm a Republican nominee before an election that is eight days away,” Schumer said, adding, “The Republican majority is lighting its credibility on fire. This hypocritical, 180 degree turn is spectacularly obvious to the American people.”
“The American people will suffer the consequences of Judge Barrett’s far-right, out of the mainstream views for generations,” Schumer warned
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Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who said on Sunday that she would now vote to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, told reporters she believes that Barrett would uphold Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision.
“I believe that, given how she outlined, not only to me but how she spoke to the issue of reliance when she was before the committee, I believe that she will look at that and weight that in any matters in any cases that come before her that take up Roe v. Wade,” the Alaska senator said.
“I don’t see her overturning the decision in Roe v. Wade, based on based on the weighting of other reliance factors,” she said.
The audience will be socially distanced at Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s expected confirmation event tonight, a White House official tells CNN.
Masks will also be required and those near President Trump will be tested beforehand, the official said.
Amy Coney Barrett is preparing to join the Supreme Court as the justices are ready to take action on a number of important petitions before them, including several related to next week’s election.
Barrett will solidify a 6-3 conservative majority on the high court and will be able to participate in the court’s action on the petitions, potentially giving Republican litigants an additional ally as the justices review the various requests.
Here’s a look at the major petitions awaiting Barrett:
Trump taxes case: The justices are primed to decide soon whether a New York prosecutor will get access to Trump’s financial documents from January 2011 to August 2019, including his tax returns.
Pennsylvania ballot extensions: Republicans in Pennsylvania asked the Supreme Court on Friday to block a ballot receipt extension that would allow them to be counted if they are received within three days of Election Day — even if they do not have a legible postmark.
Wisconsin ballot counting and requests: Three Wisconsin petitions before the court concern Democrats who are asking the justices to allow the counting of ballots six days after the election and whether Covid-19 vulnerable voters and others in the state can secure replacement mail-in ballots by email.
Minnesota congressional election date: A Republican candidate for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District is asking the justices to intervene in a case concerning whether his election takes place on Nov. 3 or on Feb. 9, after the recent death of Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Adam Weeks caused the contest to be moved to next year as required by state law.
Mississippi abortion case: As abortion rights backers and opponents spar over whether Barrett’s confirmation would mean the end of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision, the justices will consider Friday whether or not to hear a case that could directly consider the precedent. The case pertains to Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law in 2018. The law made exceptions only for medical emergencies or cases in which there’s a “severe fetal abnormality,” but not for incidents of rape or incest. A federal judge in Mississippi struck down the law in November 2018, and the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling late last year.
Vice President Mike Pence just wrapped his only event today in Hibbing, Minnesota. He deplaned Air Force Two with a face mask and waved to the crowd from the top of the stairs. He then jogged to the podium.
Once his remarks wrapped, Pence stepped from behind the podium and put his face mask and returned to Air Force Two.
On today’s Senate confirmation vote for Judge Amy Coney Barret, Pence said, “I’m going to head back to Washington, DC, just in case they need my vote.”
Following her expected confirmation by the Senate, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will administer the official Constitutional Oath to Judge Amy Coney Barrett at the White House tonight, a senior White House official tells CNN.
Republican members of the Senate are split about whether they will be attending the post-SCOTUS-vote event at the White House tonight, celebrating Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination.
Some have said they plan to attend, citing that the event will be outside, and that protective measures will be in place.
“It sounds like it’s an outdoor event I mean , that would certainly help that. Obviously, a lot more room, as well as the clean air, so I’m not, I’m not overly concerned. I’m certainly not concerned for myself. I’ll do my part,” he said.
Others, like Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, had planned to go, but are wavering.
“I RSVP’d yes, but I’m reconsidering that,” he said. When asked if his hesitation had to do with COVID, he demurred, saying it “had to do with a lot of factors.”
Several senators remain undecided.
“I haven’t decided,” said Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. When asked if he’s concerned about the safety of the event, he replied: “I think it is important that people wear masks and they social distance.”
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina also said he hasn’t decided whether he will attend, because “if I can get on a plane going to South Carolina, I’m going to do that.”
Other members also said they plan to go home following the vote, including Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to answer a question. McConnell recently revealed he has not been to the White House since early August and has been critical on their practices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
CNN reported Sunday that President Trump is expected to swear in Barrett at the White House at 9 p.m. ET, and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Monday morning the White House would be “doing the best we can” to prevent an outbreak at the event, including “encouraging as much social distancing as possible” and testing “in and around those that are critical to the mission.”
Vice President Mike Pence is no longer expected to preside over the Senate’s vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court following a coronavirus outbreak on his team.
“Vice President Pence is campaigning in Minnesota today. The VP is not planning to be at the Senate tonight unless his vote is needed,” an aide to the vice president said.
Some background: At least five people in Pence’s orbit have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days, including chief of staff Marc Short, close aide Zach Bauer and outside adviser Marty Obst, sources told CNN.
Pence and second lady Karen Pence were both tested for Covid-19 Monday morning, according to Pence’s office. Both tested negative.
Only one Republican — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is facing a competitive reelection fight — is expected to vote against Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation due to concerns that it’s too close to the election to consider a nominee.
All Democrats are expected to vote against the nomination, though Republicans still have enough votes to confirm Barrett.
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination to the full chamber, over the boycott of Democratic committee members, who put in their seats pictures of individuals affected by the Affordable Care Act.
Unable to stop the confirmation, Democrats have resorted to theatrical tactics instead to spotlight their anger. Democratic senators on Friday forced a rare closed session so members could privately discuss their concerns about the process.
Senate Republicans are poised to confirm President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett today, a major victory for the President and his party just days before Nov. 3, that promises to push the high court in a more conservative direction for generations to come.
Trump is expected to swear-in Barrett at the White House in an outdoor ceremony at 9 p.m. after her expected confirmation, a source familiar with the invitation tells CNN.
Here are some key things to know ahead of this evening’s vote:
Read more here.
