Schumer noted in his letter that there is “no scheduled legislative or committee business related to the COVID-19 public health and economic emergencies.” The Senate minority leader urged McConnell to hold public hearings on several issues, including coronavirus testing and the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses. He also called for confirmation of appointees to the Congressional Oversight Commission, which is tasked with overseeing the administration’s efforts to financially help businesses and industries.
“There’s someone who has nothing to do with Covid on the calendar Monday night,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “The rumor is he wants to put a judge on the calendar whose claim to fame seems to be that he worked for McConnell as a staff for a nominee for a circuit court judge. The [American Bar Association] rated him unqualified.”
Schumer, in his letter, also asked McConnell to require that the Office of Attending Physician develop standards to ensure public safety during committee hearings.
While the Senate’s weeks away from Washington because of the coronavirus pandemic has hit pause on judicial confirmations, the GOP leader is vowing to “leave no vacancy behind” this year and the Senate plans to pick up right where it left off.
Over the recess, Trump nominated Walker, who is currently a federal district judge for the Western District of Kentucky. Walker clerked for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he was on the D.C. Court of Appeals. He has also known McConnell for years.
The Senate confirmed Walker along party lines in October.
While McConnell and the conservative legal community are praising the 37-year-old Walker, Democrats have berated Trump’s choice for the second most powerful court in the country, citing that the American Bar Association rated Walker “not qualified” because of insufficient legal experience.
Source: politico.com
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