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The second day of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett‘s confirmation hearings is well underway. President Donald Trump might just get another Supreme Court justice, given that enough Republican senators appear to favor her, and people are furious. Protesters outside several Senate buildings on Monday, the first day of hearings, tell you as much.
“No confirmation until inauguration,” shouted protesters outside the Hart Senate Office Building. Anti-Barrett protesters were joined by a few of the judge’s supporters, who shouted “hey hey, ho ho, Roe v. Wade has got to go!”
At least 21 people were handcuffed and arrested by the U.S. Capitol Police, according to the Post.
Unlike the confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, protesters are not allowed to go inside the Senate buildings due to the coronavirus pandemic. Direct action can impact how these hearings go. After two protesters confronted him on live television, Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) delayed the final confirmation vote for Kavanaugh to give the FBI time to investigate sexual assault allegations against the judge. Ultimately, Flake voted in favor of Kavanaugh.
Like the other Trump judges, the legal challenges that might come with the appointment of Barrett are wildly unpopular. Polling shows that a majority of people support Roe v. Wade, same-sex marriage, and the Affordable Care Act.
It’s unclear if D.C. officials are preparing for the possibility of a Supreme Court with three Trump judges. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear yet another case questioning the legality of the Affordable Care Act a week after the November election. When asked about what the Council would do if the Supreme Court struck down the ACA, Chairman Phil Mendelson said “at this point there has not been any substantive planning yet.” The protections afforded under the ACA—including expanding Medicaid eligibility—are critical, particularly during a public health emergency that’s created a recession.
—Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- As of Oct. 13, D.C. reported no additional deaths related to COVID-19 but 46 new positive cases. The total number of infections is 16,068. [EOM]
- Meet the 15 candidates running for State Board of Education. [Post]
- Could the future of Dave Thomas Circle be without Wendy’s? [Urban Turf]
By Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds accused the Sunrise Movement D.C. of using “the same tactics the KKK used against black people” when they protested outside her home. [WUSA]
- Patrick Kennedy endorses Randy Downs for the Ward 2 Council seat. [Twitter]
- ICYMI: Virginia is planning for mass vaccinations. [Virginia Mercury]
By Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Through Images and Objects, Restaurant Workers Chronicle Their Pandemic Experiences
Hospitality industry workers are known for thinking on their feet. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, that […]
- What’s the deal with Yelp’s new “Racist Behavior” alerts. [WCP]
- Four new places for pizza. [Washingtonian]
- How area restaurants are supporting voting in D.C. [Eater DC]
- A Q&A with Jackie Executive Chef Jerome Grant, formerly of Sweet Home Cafe. [DCist]
By Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Dupont Underground Has a New CEO
At the beginning of the month, Dupont Underground leader Robert Meins turned the organization over […]
- The Forty-Year-Old Version is an engaging and personal character study, our critic writes. [WCP]
- Kojo For Kids welcomes musician and PBS KIDS host Steve Songs. [Kojo Nnamdi Show]
By Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Alex Smith Makes an Improbable Return to the Washington Football Team
Sunday afternoon didn’t quite match up with what Alex Smith envisioned in those moments he […]
- The Caps say goodbye to Braden Holtby, who signed with the Vancouver Canucks, and welcome Henrik Lundqvist on a one-year deal. [Russian Machine Never Breaks, Sporting News]
- Dave Martinez continues to make changes in the coaching staff, as hitting coach Kevin Long and third base coach Chip Hale will not return next season. [MLB.com]
By Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)
City Lights: Capture Broadway Magic with The National Theatre’s Music Mondays
Thanks to COVID-19, I haven’t seen a play or musical in a theater since January. […]
By Emma Sarappo (tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)