Judge Amy Coney Barrett is not Justice Barrett of the Supreme Court. She was confirmed by a vote of 52 to 48, with only Senator Collins of Maine voting negative on the Republican side. Democrats dramatically approached the Senate leadership, gave a thumbs down and marched out of the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Schumer was quote as saying that this was the “darkest day” in Senate history, and that the Republicans had lost the right to have any say in a Democrat lead Senate (that they are hopeful of, come election day…). This was said to be a reference to “court packing” which has become an election issuing, meaning the adding of (four) new Justices to the Supreme court to form a liberal majority. Biden has not ruled this out, instead saying he will appoint a committee to “study the issue.”
Senator Collins is fighting a tough race in Maine, and it is thought that a “no” vote might help her with independent voters. Commentators have suggested that she may have had “permission” from Senate leadership since the vote was already safely in hand.
Barrett was sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas this evening, and will begin work immediately, since the court is a month into its current session. She will participate in a case that has the potential to declare Obamacare un-Constitutional, and if any election results rise to the level of the Supreme Court, she will be participating in that as well.