1 Amy Coney Barrett Meets Her Adversaries
Questioning will begin today, but Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett already has a great sense of what she’s up against as it relates to Senate Democrats. Republicans, too – as the welcome she received was in line with the political persuasions in the chamber. Republicans were fairly effusive about her credentials, the Dems? Not so much. For her part, Judge Barrett said she “believes deeply in the rule of law” and “an independent Supreme Court.” In delivering her opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barrett also said the high court “should interpret the Constitution and laws as they are written.” Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham acknowledged that nobody's mind on the committee “is going to be changed by what transpires in the Senate hearing room.” Similarly, Democrats’ statements assailed what they perceive will be the result of Barrett’s expected confirmation: assaults on the Affordable Care Act and Roe v Wade. Barrett's confirmation would create a 6-3 conservative majority on the high court.
2 Johnson & Johnson Coronavirus Vaccine Study Put On Hold
Johnson & Johnson is taking a break from its coronavirus vaccine study. The company paused the study because of an unexplained illness in one of the participants. They didn’t provide any details on what sort of sickness the participant is dealing with. This is the latest company to suffer a setback while doing a coronavirus vaccine study. But this isn’t necessarily something to worry about. AstraZeneca had also hit the pause button on its Covid vaccine clinical trials last month after an “unexplained illness” affected one of the volunteers.
3 Trump Holds First Rally Since Coronavirus Diagnosis
President Trump is back on the campaign trail for the first time since his coronavirus diagnosis. Trump held a Make America Great Again rally in Sanford, Florida yesterday – one week after his release from a hospital to get treatment for the virus. Trump said he has been "energized" by prayers and thanked the crowd for their support. He again called this year's contest “the most important election in history” and claimed enthusiasm is “greater now” than it was in 2016. As for his “former” diagnosis? That’s in the past – and now, Trump says he “feels powerful. “I am so energized by your prayers and humbled by your support,” Trump offered. “Twenty-two days from now we’re going to win this state, we’re going to win four more years at the White House.”