McConnell Announces Senate Floor Activity Postponed Until October 19; SCOTUS Confirmation Hearings To Proceed As Scheduled

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has announced that all scheduled activity on the Senate floor will be postponed for two weeks until October 19 following President Trump’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis, but that confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett will proceed as scheduled, beginning October 12th.

“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,” reads a Saturday statement from McConnell.

“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. The Senate’s floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough, fair, and historically supported confirmation process laid out by Chairman Graham.“

In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said “If It’s too dangerous to have the Senate in session it is also too dangerous for committee hearings to continue.”

Schumer statement > “If It’s too dangerous to have the Senate in session it is also too dangerous for committee hearings to continue.” Doesn’t say that he won’t give consent for the full chamber to leave for two weeks, though. pic.twitter.com/rIsoLvItor

— Emily Cochrane (@ESCochrane) October 3, 2020

“Elaine and I continue to pray for President Trump, the First Lady, and all of those impacted by COVID-19,” the statement concludes.

McConnell announces the full Senate will stay out for two weeks until Oct 19, but SCOTUS confirmation hearings will move forward on Oct 12 as scheduled pic.twitter.com/Nubs31po2I

— Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) October 3, 2020