McConnel to seek Senate recess after 3 GOP senators test positive - News Today

For any copyright, please send me a message. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Saturday sent the chamber home for a two week recess after three Republican senators tested positive for the coronavirus.But the move, described as an effort to protect the health and safety of lawmakers, will not derail the Judiciary Committee's plan to hold hearings on Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett.The moves come as it becomes increasingly likely that a White House gathering to celebrate President Trump's nomination of Barrett last Saturday may have been a 'super spreader' event where a host of powerful Republicans may have been exposed to the deadly virus. McConnell is putting the chamber in 'pro forma' session – which would still allow for committees to meet remotely.'According to the standing rules of the U.S. Senate, committees may convene regardless of whether or not the Senate is in session,' the Senate Judiciary Committee said in a statement Saturday''The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), will proceed with the consideration of the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States on October 12, 2020.'The move to press on comes as Democrats, already fuming at the move to push the nominee through just weeks before Election Day, demanded a delay after news broke that the president and Senators tested positive for the virus. Two GOP Senators who are Judiciary members – Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah – tested positive after attending the White House event for Barrett.Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who was also there, announced Saturday that he had tested positive. The GOP's majority is 53-47, so potential absences could limit the majority's ability to move nominees or legislation. Two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, expressed opposition to considering the nomination before the election. 'The Committee has utilized this format successfully for many months while protecting the health and safety of all involved. Certainly all Republican members of the committee will participate in these important hearings,' McConnell said.'On Monday, I intend to obtain a consent agreement for the Senate to meet in pro forma sessions for the next two weeks. Previously-scheduled floor activity will be rescheduled until after October 19th.'“The important work of the Senate’s committees can and will continue as each committee sees fit. The Senate Judiciary Committee will convene on October 12th as Chairman Graham has scheduled to begin confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court,' he said. 'The Senate’s floor schedule will not in