<p>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.</p>
<p>Senate Minority Leader Schumer was quote as saying that this was the &#8220;darkest day&#8221; 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&#8230;). This was said to be a reference to &#8220;court packing&#8221; 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 &#8220;study the issue.&#8221;</p>
<p>Senator Collins is fighting a tough race in Maine, and it is thought that a &#8220;no&#8221; vote might help her with independent voters. Commentators have suggested that she may have had &#8220;permission&#8221; from Senate leadership since the vote was already safely in hand.</p>
<p>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.</p>