npr--2020-09-26--New DOJ Filing: TikTok's Owner Is 'A Mouthpiece' Of Chinese Communist Party

New DOJ Filing : TikTok 's Owner Is ' A Mouthpiece ' Of Chinese Communist Party The Trump administration is accusing the the chief executive of ByteDance , the owner of video-sharing app TikTok , of being `` a mouthpiece '' for the Chinese Community Party and alleging that the tech company has a close relationship with Beijing authorities that endangers the security of Americans .
The Justice Department on Friday night filed the Trump administration 's most thorough explanation of its push to ban TikTok in a legal filing in response to TikTok 's lawsuit asking a federal judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on midnight Sunday .
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols has scheduled a hearing for 9:30 a.m. Sunday to decide whether the Trump administration 's ban will take effect .
In the submission to the court , Justice Department lawyers say ByteDance CEO Zhang Yiming has made public statements showing he is `` committed to promoting '' the agenda of the Chinese Communist Party .
TikTok has for months distanced itself from its corporate owner , ByteDance , asserting that data on the more than 100 million U.S. users is stored primarily in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the Trump administration says it has evidence that some data is being transmitted to China , claiming such information can be accessed by Chinese authorities to track Americans and build dossiers that could be deployed for blackmail .
Furthermore , Justice Department officials say ByteDance is beholden to Chinese laws that may require the company to assist in surveillance and intelligence operations at the direction of the Chinese government .
TikTok strenuously denies it ever has or will in the future cooperate with any demands from China 's authoritarian regime .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent study showed that 37 % of the IP addresses TikTok 's Android users connect to are based in China .
The Trump administration , however , did not offer any direct evidence that TikTok 's U.S. data has ever been assessed by Beijing officials .
The Justice Department filed all of the documents under seal earlier Friday , an unusual move for a government response to a motion for a preliminary injunction .
Several hours later , Justice Department lawyers re-filed the documents with a number of sections redacted pertaining to how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China .
In another document newly public on Friday that the Trump administration submitted as an attachment to its primary filing , the Commerce Department detailed its concerns with TikTok in an intelligence and security assessment .
Trump officials point to a number of instances that allegedly show that ByteDance has a cozy relationship with Beijing authorities .
ByteDance , according to the document , employs 130 Chinese Communist Party members , who are embedded at ByteDance 's Beijing office .
In June 2018 , according to the Commerce Department memo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they faced a Chinese Communist Party flag , `` raised their right hand , clenched their fists , and reiterated their guarantee as a party member and vowed to never betray the party . ''
Trump officials allege that though ByteDance CEO Zhang Yiming is not a member of the Chinese Communist Party , he issued a public apology to the government in April 2018 over one of ByteDance 's apps that appeared to have irked authorities .
`` Our product took the wrong path , and content appeared that was incommensurate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
In its own filing , TikTok has maintained that U.S. user data never goes to Chinese soil .
According to the company , the data on Americans is `` sharded '' or broken up into unidentifiable bits and stored across many different servers .
Roland Cloutier , TikTok 's global chief security officer , said in a sworn statement to the court that sensitive information like names , birthdays , home addresses phone numbers and contact lists are encrypted .
`` It is impossible to decrypt this encrypted user data without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed ... by our security team in the United States , '' Cloutier wrote .
Other revealing details emerged Friday in the Commerce Department memo , including that ByteDance allegedly has spent $ 1 billion on ads on competing apps Facebook , Instagram and Snapchat in order to boost its user base .
TikTok has nearly 700 million active monthly users worldwide .
Trump said he gave a deal to save TikTok involving companies Oracle and Walmart his tentative blessing , but an agreement never materialized , as the U.S. firms and ByteDance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details , including what firm would hold the largest stake in the new company .
TikTok acquisition talks are ongoing .

New DOJ Filing: TikTok's Owner Is 'A Mouthpiece' Of Chinese Communist Party
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gilles Sabrie/Bloomberg via Getty Images Gilles Sabrie/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Updated 2:56 p.m. ET Saturday
The Trump administration is accusing the chief executive of ByteDance, the owner of video-sharing app TikTok, of being "a mouthpiece" for the Chinese Communist Party and alleging that the tech company has a close relationship with Beijing authorities that endangers the security of Americans.
The Justice Department on Friday night filed the Trump administration's most thorough explanation of its push to ban TikTok in a legal filing in response to TikTok's lawsuit asking a federal judge to stop Trump's ban from taking effect on midnight Sunday.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols has scheduled a hearing for 9:30 a.m. Sunday to decide whether the Trump administration's ban will take effect.
In the submission to the court, Justice Department lawyers say ByteDance CEO Zhang Yiming has made public statements showing he is "committed to promoting" the agenda of the Chinese Communist Party.
TikTok has for months distanced itself from its corporate owner, ByteDance, asserting that data on the more than 100 million U.S. users is stored primarily in Virginia, with backup in Singapore.
But the Trump administration says it has evidence that some data is being transmitted to China, claiming such information can be accessed by Chinese authorities to track Americans and build dossiers that could be deployed for blackmail.
Furthermore, Justice Department officials say ByteDance is beholden to Chinese laws that may require the company to assist in surveillance and intelligence operations at the direction of the Chinese government.
TikTok strenuously denies it ever has or will in the future cooperate with any demands from China's authoritarian regime. But the Trump administration said Friday that a recent study showed that 37% of the IP addresses TikTok's Android users connect to are based in China.
The Trump administration, however, did not offer any direct evidence that TikTok's U.S. data has ever been assessed by Beijing officials.
The Justice Department filed all of the documents under seal earlier Friday, an unusual move for a government response to a motion for a preliminary injunction. Several hours later, Justice Department lawyers refiled the documents with a number of sections redacted pertaining to how exactly TikTok allegedly transmits Americans' data to China.
In a response filed on Saturday, lawyers for TikTok suggest the app is being unfairly singled out, pointing to how theoretical concerns about whether China's government can gain access to American user data can be made about a number of U.S. tech companies that have a presence in the country.
"The same is true for many American tech companies, who have substantial engineering resources in China and, in some cases, data sharing agreements with Chinese companies," TikTok lawyer John Hall wrote.
Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
In another document newly public on Friday that the Trump administration submitted as an attachment to its primary filing, the Commerce Department detailed its concerns with TikTok in an intelligence and security assessment.
Trump officials point to a number of instances that allegedly show that ByteDance has a cozy relationship with Beijing authorities.
ByteDance, according to the document, employs 130 Chinese Communist Party members at ByteDance's Beijing office.
In June 2018, according to the Commerce Department memo, ByteDance employees organized a party in which they faced a Chinese Communist Party flag, "raised their right hand, clenched their fists, and reiterated their guarantee as a party member and vowed to never betray the party."
Trump officials allege that although ByteDance CEO Zhang Yiming is not a member of the Chinese Communist Party, he issued a public apology to the government in April 2018 over one of ByteDance's apps that appeared to have irked authorities. "Our product took the wrong path, and content appeared that was incommensurate with socialist core values," Yiming said then.
Reports of Communist Party officials being embedded at ByteDance are not accurate, TikTok said in its Saturday submission to the court.
Hall, a lawyer for TikTok, said what is really driving Trump's push to ban the app is a desire to score political points.
"The reason why the Commerce Department relies on its hollow anecdotes is that national security was pretext for banning TikTok, and that the real reason was the President's wish to use such a U.S. ban, or what he could extract in return for lifting it, as political campaign fodder," Hall wrote.
The suggestion that U.S. user data goes to Chinese soil has also been strongly denied in recent court filings by the app. According to TikTok, the data on Americans is "sharded" or broken up into unidentifiable bits and stored across many different servers.
Roland Cloutier, TikTok's global chief security officer, said in a sworn statement to the court that sensitive information like names, birthdays, home addresses phone numbers and contact lists are encrypted.
"It is impossible to decrypt this encrypted user data without a key that has been generated and managed ... by our security team in the United States," Cloutier wrote.
Among the revealing details that emerged Friday in the Commerce Department memo was that ByteDance allegedly has spent $1 billion on ads on competing apps Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat in order to boost its user base. TikTok has nearly 700 million active monthly users worldwide.
Trump said he gave a tentative blessing to deal to save TikTok involving companies Oracle and Walmart. The agreement never materialized, as the U.S. firms and ByteDance appear at odds over a number of details, including what firm would hold the largest stake in the new company. TikTok acquisition talks are ongoing.


npr--2020-09-26--In California, Windy, Dry Weather Expected To Bring 'Critical' Fire Conditions

In California , weeks after a heatwave intensified devastating wildfires burning throughout the state , crews are bracing for weekend weather conditions expected to hamper containment efforts .
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings across the state as windy and dry conditions are expected to raise `` fire weather concerns to critical levels across parts of both Northern and Southern California on Sunday , '' the agency said .
In addition to exacerbating conditions for the 17,000 personnel battling the state 's 25 major wildfires , residents throughout the state were warned of potential power outages starting Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it may need to turn off power for up to 97,000 customers in 15 counties to reduce the risk of wildfires .
Red flag warnings are expected to last through Monday and come weeks after a heatwave drove temperatures to triple-digit and record-breaking highs .
Those conditions prompted the U.S. Forest Service to close several national forests .
On Friday , the agency said it would extend closures , affecting nine national forests .
`` Continued closures are based on extreme fire conditions , critical limitations of firefighting resources , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Randy Moore , a regional forester for the agency 's Pacific Southwest Region , in a statement .
Wildfires have burned some 3.6 million acres in California this year .
Since August , fires have consumed at least 7,000 structures and killed 26 people , according to Cal Fire .
The state 's largest blaze , the August Complex Fire , has charred more than 870,000 acres across six northern counties .
In addition to the windy conditions , large swaths of the state are experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agriculture and University of Nebraska-Lincoln 's drought monitor .
Hot and dry conditions are also expected for parts of Montana , Wyoming and Colorado , according to the National Interagency Fire Center .

In California, Windy, Dry Weather Expected To Bring 'Critical' Fire Conditions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frederic J. Brown /AFP via Getty Images Frederic J. Brown /AFP via Getty Images
In California, weeks after a heatwave intensified devastating wildfires burning throughout the state, crews are bracing for weekend weather conditions expected to hamper containment efforts.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings across the state as windy and dry conditions are expected to raise "fire weather concerns to critical levels across parts of both Northern and Southern California on Sunday," the agency said.
In addition to exacerbating conditions for the 17,000 personnel battling the state's 25 major wildfires, residents throughout the state were warned of potential power outages starting Sunday. Utility provider Pacific Gas and Electric said it may need to turn off power for up to 97,000 customers in 15 counties to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Red flag warnings are expected to last through Monday and come weeks after a heatwave drove temperatures to triple-digit and record-breaking highs. Those conditions prompted the U.S. Forest Service to close several national forests.
On Friday, the agency said it would extend closures, affecting nine national forests.
"Continued closures are based on extreme fire conditions, critical limitations of firefighting resources, and to provide for firefighter and public safety," said Randy Moore, a regional forester for the agency's Pacific Southwest Region, in a statement.
Wildfires have burned some 3.6 million acres in California this year. Since August, fires have consumed at least 7,000 structures and killed 26 people, according to Cal Fire. The state's largest blaze, the August Complex Fire, has charred more than 870,000 acres across six northern counties.
In addition to the windy conditions, large swaths of the state are experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and University of Nebraska-Lincoln's drought monitor.
Hot and dry conditions are also expected for parts of Montana, Wyoming and Colorado, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.


npr--2020-09-26--As Election Nears, Trump Expands Moratorium On Exploratory Drilling In Atlantic

As Election Nears , Trump Expands Moratorium On Exploratory Drilling In Atlantic President Trump expanded a ban on exploratory drilling this week off the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia , his latest extension of an existing offshore drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico .
The memorandum , which Trump signed Friday , `` prevents consideration of this area for any leasing for purposes of exploration , development , or production during the 10-year period beginning on July 1 , 2022 , and ending on June 30 , 2032 . ''
The memo makes clear that the ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for `` environmental conservation purposes , including the purposes of shore protection , beach nourishment and restoration , wetlands restoration , and habitat protection . ''
It stands in contrast to the Trump administration 's record of supporting oil and gas production and rolling back rules on greenhouse gas emissions .
Trump announced the move at a campaign event in Virginia .
But even as he announced the action , Trump immediately indicated a willingness to walk things back .
`` If you want to have oil rigs out there , just let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off , '' he told the crowd .
`` I can understand that , too . ''
The expanded drilling moratorium comes just two weeks after Trump prohibited drilling off both Florida coasts , as well as off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina .
Trump compared himself to President Teddy Roosevelt , who had a lifelong passion for nature .
`` No .
1 one since Teddy Roosevelt , '' Trump said in Florida , the New York Post reported .
`` Who would have thought , Trump is the great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance is a departure from his sustained willingness to explore domestic sources of energy .
Some have questioned the sincerity of the move this close to the presidential election .
`` Just months ago , Donald Trump was planning to allow oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida , '' Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said on Twitter earlier this month .
`` Now , with 56 days until the election , he conveniently says that he changed his mind .
Unbelievable . ''
The oil industry , which has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , decried the expanded moratorium .
`` This is another move in the wrong direction for American energy security and takes thousands new jobs and critical revenue for states off the table at a time when the economy is struggling , '' said American Petroleum Institute executive Len Smith in a statement .
API is the country 's largest trade association for the oil and natural gas industry .

As Election Nears, Trump Expands Moratorium On Exploratory Drilling In Atlantic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Helber/AP Steve Helber/AP
This week, President Trump expanded a ban on exploratory drilling off the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia, his latest extension of an existing offshore drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico.
The memorandum, which Trump signed Friday, "prevents consideration of this area for any leasing for purposes of exploration, development, or production during the 10-year period beginning on July 1, 2022, and ending on June 30, 2032."
The memo makes clear that the ban on leasing does not apply if it's for "environmental conservation purposes, including the purposes of shore protection, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restoration, and habitat protection."
It stands in contrast to the Trump administration's record of supporting oil and gas production and rolling back rules on greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump announced the move at a campaign event in Virginia. But even as he announced the action, Trump immediately indicated a willingness to walk things back. "If you want to have oil rigs out there, just let me know — we'll take it off," he told the crowd. "I can understand that, too."
The expanded drilling moratorium comes just two weeks after Trump prohibited drilling off both Florida coasts, as well as off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. Trump compared himself to President Teddy Roosevelt, who had a lifelong passion for nature.
"No. 1 one since Teddy Roosevelt," Trump said in Florida, the New York Post reported. "Who would have thought, Trump is the great environmentalist?"
Trump's new anti-drilling stance is a departure from his sustained willingness to explore domestic sources of energy. Some have questioned the sincerity of the move this close to the presidential election.
"Just months ago, Donald Trump was planning to allow oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida," Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said on Twitter earlier this month. "Now, with 56 days until the election, he conveniently says that he changed his mind. Unbelievable."
The oil industry, which has been blindsided by Trump's shifting environmental policies, decried the expanded moratorium.
"This is another move in the wrong direction for American energy security and takes thousands of new jobs and critical revenue for states off the table at a time when the economy is struggling," said American Petroleum Institute executive Len Smith in a statement. API is the country's largest trade association for the oil and natural gas industry.


npr--2020-09-26--Biden Responds To Trump Court Pick: 'Health Care Is On The Ballot'

Biden Responds To Trump Court Pick : 'Health Care Is On The Ballot' In response to President Trump 's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court , Democratic nominee Joe Biden urged Democrats to vote in the presidential election to protect the Affordable Care Act .
`` Vote like your health care is on the ballot — because it is , '' Biden tweeted .
Congressional Democratic have signaled that 's how they are going to try and fight Barrett 's nomination .
`` The American people should make no mistake—a vote by any Senator for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strike down the Affordable Care Act and eliminate protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions , '' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said in a statement on Saturday .
In his own longer statement , Biden noted that voting is already underway in the United States , and referenced health care and other issues important to progressives .
`` They are voting because their health care hangs in the balance , '' he said .
`` They are voting because they worry about losing their right to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have ever known .
They are voting right now because they fear losing their collective bargaining rights .
They are voting to demand that equal justice be guaranteed for all .
They are voting because they do n't want Roe v. Wade , which has been the law of the land for nearly half a century , to be overturned . ''
Barrett , a textualist , was critical of John Roberts ' logic in upholding the ACA .
`` Chief Justice Roberts pushed the Affordable Care Act beyond its plausible meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in 2017 .
`` He construed the penalty imposed on those without health insurance as a tax , which permitted him to sustain the statute as a valid exercise of the taxing power ; had he treated the payment as the statute did — as a penalty — he would have had to invalidate the statute as lying beyond Congress 's commerce power . ''
On abortion , Barrett has said she expected the Supreme Court would uphold the core of Roe v. Wade , giving women the right to an abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was likely that restrictions would be increased .
But that was before Trump was elected and before the court became majority conservative , so it 's not clear how far Barrett would go exactly .
Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , argued in their statements that a Supreme Court nominee should be left to whoever wins the presidency .
`` Americans across the country are already casting votes , and we will soon know the president and senators who will be sworn in next January , '' said Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , which is is responsible for the hearings of court nominees .
`` We must respect Americans ' voices and allow the winners of the election to nominate and confirm the next Supreme Court Justice . ''
Democrats especially feel that way because Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to even hold a hearing for then-President Barack Obama 's pick to replace the late-Justice Antonin Scalia on the court .
Scalia died in February of 2016 , many more months ahead of that election than this vacancy .
`` Just yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legendary Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who devoted her life to fighting for Equal Justice Under Law and a more fair and just world , '' Harris added in her statement .
`` Her passing is devastating , and it would be a travesty to replace her with a justice who is being selected to undo her legacy and erase everything she did for our country . ''
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to begin Barrett 's confirmation hearings on Oct. 12 , an aide told NPR on Saturday .

Biden Responds To Trump Court Pick: 'Health Care Is On The Ballot'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
In response to President Trump's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, Democratic nominee Joe Biden urged Democrats to vote in the presidential election to protect the Affordable Care Act.
"Vote like your health care is on the ballot — because it is," Biden tweeted.
Congressional Democrats have signaled that's how they are going to try and fight Barrett's nomination.
"The American people should make no mistake—a vote by any Senator for Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act and eliminate protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement on Saturday.
In his own longer statement, Biden noted that voting is already underway in the United States, and referenced health care and other issues important to progressives.
"They are voting because their health care hangs in the balance," he said. "They are voting because they worry about losing their right to vote or being expelled from the only country they have ever known. They are voting right now because they fear losing their collective bargaining rights. They are voting to demand that equal justice be guaranteed for all. They are voting because they don't want Roe v. Wade, which has been the law of the land for nearly half a century, to be overturned."
Barrett, a textualist, was critical of John Roberts' logic in upholding the ACA.
"Chief Justice Roberts pushed the Affordable Care Act beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute," Barrett wrote in 2017. "He construed the penalty imposed on those without health insurance as a tax, which permitted him to sustain the statute as a valid exercise of the taxing power; had he treated the payment as the statute did — as a penalty — he would have had to invalidate the statute as lying beyond Congress's commerce power."
On abortion, Barrett has said she expected the Supreme Court would uphold the core of Roe v. Wade, giving women the right to an abortion, but she said she thought it was likely that restrictions would be increased.
But that was before Trump was elected and before the court became majority conservative, so it's not clear how far Barrett would go exactly.
Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, argued in their statements that a Supreme Court nominee should be left to whoever wins the presidency.
"Americans across the country are already casting votes, and we will soon know the president and senators who will be sworn in next January," said Harris, who also serves on the Judiciary Committee, which is is responsible for the hearings of court nominees. "We must respect Americans' voices and allow the winners of the election to nominate and confirm the next Supreme Court Justice."
Democrats especially feel that way because Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., refused to even hold a hearing for then-President Barack Obama's pick to replace the late-Justice Antonin Scalia on the court. Scalia died in February 2016, many more months ahead of that election than this vacancy.
"Just yesterday, I paid my respects to the legendary Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who devoted her life to fighting for Equal Justice Under Law and a more fair and just world," Harris added in her statement. "Her passing is devastating, and it would be a travesty to replace her with a justice who is being selected to undo her legacy and erase everything she did for our country."
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to begin Barrett's confirmation hearings on Oct. 12, an aide told NPR on Saturday.


npr--2020-09-26--COVID-19 Daily Cases On The Rise In Nearly Half Of U.S. States

COVID-19 Daily Cases On The Rise In Nearly Half Of U.S. States The number of new daily coronavirus infections in the U.S. continued to rise this past week , driven by upward trends in nearly half the states that have pushed total cases in the country past 7 million .
At the same time , a recent study suggests the vast majority of Americans have n't been exposed , far below what 's required to quell the virus 's spread through `` herd immunity . ''
Daily cases were largely on a downward trend through August and early September from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going up again .
According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Tracker , the U.S. reported more than 55,000 new cases on Friday .
In total , the U.S. has more than 7,074,000 infections with 204,000 dead as a result of COVID-19 .
Overall , about two-dozen states and territories reported an upward trend in new infections , with some states setting and breaking records in days .
In Wisconsin , the state 's Department of Health said it had identified 2,817 new infections on Saturday — its highest daily total since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2,533 new infections from Sept. 18 .
Earlier in the week , Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers declared a new public health emergency .
In issuing his executive order Tuesday , Evers noted that an increase in infections among young people , particular on campuses , was helping to drive the surge .
Later in the week , Evers announced he was allocating $ 8.3 million for testing at colleges and universities .
`` Wisconsin is now experiencing unprecedented , near-exponential growth of the number of COVID-19 cases in our state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to social media this week .
Elsewhere in the Midwest , South Dakota continued to see a surge in cases .
The state 's department of health reported 579 new cases on its website Saturday — its highest daily total since the pandemic began , according to data from Johns Hopkins .
In August , a motorcycle rally drew a nearly half million participants to Sturgis , S.D .
The rally was linked to hundreds of cases in South Dakota and other states .
Other states reporting record surges this week include Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Montana also broke its daily record on Saturday with 346 new cases .
But other states continued to see declines .
In Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis announced that he was lifting all of the state 's coronavirus restrictions on businesses and gatherings .
Cases in that state peaked in July , edging past 12,000 daily infections .
Since that summer surge , however , Florida has seen a decline in daily cases .
Even as cases rise in much of the U.S. , recent data published in the medical journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's population has n't been exposed to the coronavirus .
Researchers tested blood samples gathered from tens of thousands of dialysis patients for antibodies .
According to their results , just 9 % of Americans may have been exposed to the coronavirus .
Experts say that rate is far too low achieve `` herd immunity '' — where exposure to the virus and/or a vaccine drastically reduces the spread of a virus .
Those figures echo the initial findings of an ongoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study mentioned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Redfield told lawmakers on Wednesday that `` preliminary results in the first round '' showed that more than 90 % of the Americans were still susceptible to COVID-19 .

COVID-19 Daily Cases On The Rise In Nearly Half Of U.S. States
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
The number of new daily coronavirus infections in the U.S. continued to rise this past week, driven by upward trends in nearly half the states that have pushed total cases in the country past 7 million. At the same time, a recent study suggests the vast majority of Americans haven't been exposed, far below what's required to quell the virus's spread through "herd immunity."
Daily cases were largely on a downward trend through August and early September from highs in July, but are now going up again.
According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Tracker, the U.S. reported more than 55,000 new cases on Friday. In total, the U.S. has more than 7,074,000 infections with 204,000 dead as a result of COVID-19.
Overall, about two-dozen states and territories reported an upward trend in new infections, with some states setting and breaking records in days.
In Wisconsin, the state's Department of Health said it had identified 2,817 new infections on Saturday — its highest daily total since the pandemic begin. It broke the record of 2,533 new infections from Sept. 18.
Earlier in the week, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers declared a new public health emergency. In issuing his executive order Tuesday, Evers noted that an increase in infections among young people, particular on campuses, was helping to drive the surge.
Later in the week, Evers announced he was allocating $8.3 million for testing at colleges and universities.
"Wisconsin is now experiencing unprecedented, near-exponential growth of the number of COVID-19 cases in our state," Evers said in a video posted to social media this week.
Elsewhere in the Midwest, South Dakota continued to see a surge in cases. The state's department of health reported 579 new cases on its website Saturday — its highest daily total since the pandemic began, according to data from Johns Hopkins.
In August, a motorcycle rally drew a nearly half million participants to Sturgis, S.D. The rally was linked to hundreds of cases in South Dakota and other states.
Other states reporting record surges this week include Utah, which reported 1,411 new cases Friday. Montana also broke its daily record on Saturday with 346 new cases.
But other states continued to see declines. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he was lifting all of the state's coronavirus restrictions on businesses and gatherings.
Cases in that state peaked in July, edging past 12,000 daily infections. Since that summer surge, however, Florida has seen a decline in daily cases.
Far from "herd immunity"
Even as cases rise in much of the U.S., recent data published in the medical journal the Lancet suggests the vast majority of the country's population hasn't been exposed to the coronavirus.
Researchers tested blood samples gathered from tens of thousands of dialysis patients for antibodies. According to their results, just 9% of Americans may have been exposed to the coronavirus. Experts say that rate is far too low achieve "herd immunity" — where exposure to the virus and/or a vaccine drastically reduces the spread of a virus.
Those figures echo the initial findings of an ongoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study mentioned by director Robert Redfield in congressional testimony earlier this week.
Redfield told lawmakers on Wednesday that "preliminary results in the first round" showed that more than 90% of the Americans were still susceptible to COVID-19.


npr--2020-09-26--Military Flight Headed To D.C. Suggests Amy Coney Barrett Pick

President Trump has yet to formally name his Supreme Court nominee , but clues are piling up that he will @ @ @ @ @ .
A source with knowledge of the process told NPR on Friday that Trump will @ @ @ @ @ caveat that the president is known to change his mind .
The source was not @ @ @ @ @ before Trump does .
On Saturday morning , NBC News posted video of Barrett leaving @ @ @ @ @ , Ind.
, with her husband and children , all dressed in formal attire .
@ @ @ @ @ military Special Air Mission plane originating at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland landed at South @ @ @ @ @ 11 a.m .
The plane took off about two hours later , heading back toward @ @ @ @ @ region .
Trump has said he will announce his nomination at 5 p.m .
ET @ @ @ @ @ here .

Military Flight Headed To D.C. Suggests Amy Coney Barrett Pick
President Trump has yet to formally name his Supreme Court nominee, but clues are piling up that he will pick Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
A source with knowledge of the process told NPR on Friday that Trump will nominate Barrett, with the caveat that the president is known to change his mind. The source was not authorized to confirm the selection before Trump does.
On Saturday morning, NBC News posted video of Barrett leaving her home in South Bend, Ind., with her husband and children, all dressed in formal attire.
Flight records show that a military Special Air Mission plane originating at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland landed at South Bend International Airport just after 11 a.m.
The plane took off about two hours later, heading back toward the Washington, D.C., region.
Trump has said he will announce his nomination at 5 p.m. ET. Watch the event live here.


npr--2020-09-26--NASA Astronaut Will Vote From Space

NASA Astronaut Will Vote From Space

On Election Day , NASA astronaut Kate Rubins will be more than 200 miles above her nearest polling place .
But she 's still planning to vote — from space .
`` It 's critical to participate in our democracy , '' Rubins told The Associated Press .
`` We consider it an honor to be able to vote from space . ''
Rubins , who has a doctorate in cancer biology from Stanford and was the first person to sequence DNA in space , is currently training for her upcoming six-month mission on the International Space Station .
Voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting absentee from anyplace on the planet — except instead of relying on the U.S .
Postal Service to deliver the ballot , Rubins will get hers forwarded electronically from Mission Control in Houston .
`` Using a set of unique credentials sent to each of them by e-mail , astronauts can access their ballots , cast their votes , and downlink them back down to Earth , '' the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum explained in 2018 .
The ballot is then sent to the county clerk for tabulation .
American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from above for over two decades now , ever since a Texas lawmaker learned that astronaut John Blaha could n't vote in the 1996 presidential race between President Bill Clinton and Bob Dole .
At the time , Blaha was serving on Russia 's Mir Space Station , a predecessor to the ISS .
`` He expressed a little bit disappointment in not being able to do that , '' Republican state Sen. Mike Jackson told NPR 's Nell Greenfieldboyce in 2008 .
Voting from space had never really been an issue before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no more than about two weeks on shuttle missions .
But with the advent of the space station , Americans were sometimes on missions for months at a time .
So a new law was born .
`` I can attest to how important one person 's vote is , because my first election , I won by seven votes out of over 26,000 , '' Jackson said .
Texas lawmakers approved the measure in 1997 , and then-Gov .
George W. Bush signed it into law .
That same year , astronaut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` vote while you float , '' as NASA cheekily put it .
`` I voted alone up in space , very alone , the only English speaker up there , and it was nice to have an English ballot , something from America , '' Wolf told The Atlantic in 2016 .
`` It made me feel closer to the Earth and like the people of Earth actually cared about me up there . ''
Most NASA astronauts live in Houston , so since that Texas law was passed , several astronauts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above .
This is n't even the first time Rubins has exercised her orbital privilege ; she also voted in the 2016 presidential election from the space station — listing her address as `` low-Earth orbit . ''
`` I think it 's really important for everybody to vote , '' Rubins said .
`` If we can do it from space , then I believe folks can do it from the ground , too . ''

NASA Astronaut Will Vote From Space
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrey Shelepin/AP Andrey Shelepin/AP
On Election Day, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins will be more than 200 miles above her nearest polling place. But she's still planning to vote — from space.
"It's critical to participate in our democracy," Rubins told The Associated Press. "We consider it an honor to be able to vote from space."
Rubins, who has a doctorate in cancer biology from Stanford and was the first person to sequence DNA in space, is currently training for her upcoming six-month mission on the International Space Station.
Voting from the space station is similar to voting absentee from anyplace on the planet — except instead of relying on the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the ballot, Rubins will get hers forwarded electronically from Mission Control in Houston.
"Using a set of unique credentials sent to each of them by e-mail, astronauts can access their ballots, cast their votes, and downlink them back down to Earth," the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum explained in 2018.
The ballot is then sent to the county clerk for tabulation.
American astronauts have been able to cast ballots from above for over two decades now, ever since a Texas lawmaker learned that astronaut John Blaha couldn't vote in the 1996 presidential race between President Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. At the time, Blaha was serving on Russia's Mir Space Station, a predecessor to the ISS.
"He expressed a little bit disappointment in not being able to do that," Republican state Sen. Mike Jackson told NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce in 2008.
Voting from space had never really been an issue before then, because NASA astronauts typically spent no more than about two weeks on shuttle missions. But with the advent of the space station, Americans were sometimes on missions for months at a time.
So a new law was born. "I can attest to how important one person's vote is, because my first election, I won by seven votes out of over 26,000," Jackson said.
Texas lawmakers approved the measure in 1997, and then-Gov. George W. Bush signed it into law. That same year, astronaut David Wolf became the first American to "vote while you float," as NASA cheekily put it.
"I voted alone up in space, very alone, the only English speaker up there, and it was nice to have an English ballot, something from America," Wolf told The Atlantic in 2016. "It made me feel closer to the Earth and like the people of Earth actually cared about me up there."
Most NASA astronauts live in Houston, so since that Texas law was passed, several astronauts have been able to cast ballots from above. This isn't even the first time Rubins has exercised her orbital privilege; she also voted in the 2016 presidential election from the space station — listing her address as "low-Earth orbit."
"I think it's really important for everybody to vote," Rubins said. "If we can do it from space, then I believe folks can do it from the ground, too."


npr--2020-09-26--Michigan Secretary of State Says At Least 3 Million Expected To Vote By Mail

Michigan Secretary of State Says At Least 3 Million Expected To Vote By Mail Early voting via absentee ballot began in Michigan on Thursday , making 2020 the state 's first presidential election in which residents can vote early with an absentee ballot without needing a reason .
The state 's 16 electoral votes could be decisive in this year 's presidential election .
Four years ago , Donald Trump won Michigan by fewer than 12,000 votes — less than one percent .
With less than six weeks until Election Day , the state has already seen a record number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` About 2.4 million citizens of the expected 5 or 5.5 million we expect to vote this fall in Michigan have requested to vote by mail , '' Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told NPR 's Weekend Edition on Saturday .
`` And that 's more than ever before in our state 's history and we know that number is just going to continue to climb . ''
Given the volume of absentee ballots exected , Benson cautioned that final results are unlikely to be ready on Election Night .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be working hard , efficiently to tabulate all these ballots , but it may take a few days to get results and again that 's the process working . ''
`` Under state law , we ca n't start tabulating these ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day , '' Benson said .
`` When we look at the reality that there 's going to be 3 million , at least , citizens voting by mail , 3 million ballots if not more to tabulate beginning at 7 a.m. on Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get through all of that in 13 hours or even in 20 hours , and so we 're planning to take a few days to ensure the process is secure and accurate and that 's certainly what the work entails . ''
There 's been some opposition or reservations about beginning to count , has n't there ?
Yes and we 've worked with our legislature to give our clerks a little more time to process the ballots prior to Election Day , which basically means opening the envelopes , checking the signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ] preparing them to be tabulated .
And so they 've given our clerks an extra day to begin that process , which is helpful , but of course does n't go nearly enough to address the entire issue .
Many other states have as many as seven days for that pre-processing .
Let me ask about in-person voting as people may choose to do it on , I guess , what we still call Election Day .
There were long lines in some cities in Michigan earlier this year , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for primary elections .
Are you worried about that ?
Do you think the earlier voting might thin out the lines ?
Yes , I certainly do .
One of the things we have seen this year is by spreading out and giving citizens options to either vote early or vote through the mail , we 've been able to manage record turnout with minimal lines and crowding on Election Day .
Now we 've also kept all of our precincts open , which we 've been able to do through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we began in April .
And when you look at other states , what they do have those long lines , oftentimes it 's related to the closure of precincts or the consolidation of precincts .
And of course people are still voting in the middle of a pandemic .
This has to cause you some concern .
What steps are you taking to try to guarantee the safety of voters and election workers ?
While keeping our precincts open while encouraging citizens to vote early or through the mail and minimizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers with PPE , with masks , with gloves , with hand sanitizers .
The voting booths comply with our CDC social distancing guidelines to , again , minimize the potential for crowding .
All of that has enabled us to create safe polling places and , at this point , I feel very confident that voters will not have to risk their health in order to cast their vote in person .
Andrew Craig and Hadeel Al-Shalchi produced and edited the audio version of this story .

Michigan Secretary of State Says At Least 3 Million Expected To Vote By Mail
Enlarge this image toggle caption Handout/DNCC via Getty Images Handout/DNCC via Getty Images
Early voting via absentee ballot began in Michigan on Thursday, making 2020 the state's first presidential election in which residents can vote early with an absentee ballot without needing a reason.
The state's 16 electoral votes could be decisive in this year's presidential election. Four years ago, Donald Trump won Michigan by fewer than 12,000 votes — less than one percent. With less than six weeks until Election Day, the state has already seen a record number of people request to vote by mail.
"About 2.4 million citizens of the expected 5 or 5.5 million we expect to vote this fall in Michigan have requested to vote by mail," Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told NPR's Weekend Edition on Saturday. "And that's more than ever before in our state's history and we know that number is just going to continue to climb."
Given the volume of absentee ballots exected, Benson cautioned that final results are unlikely to be ready on Election Night.
"We want the country to know Michigan is going to be working hard, efficiently to tabulate all these ballots, but it may take a few days to get results and again that's the process working."
"Under state law, we can't start tabulating these ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day," Benson said. "When we look at the reality that there's going to be 3 million, at least, citizens voting by mail, 3 million ballots if not more to tabulate beginning at 7 a.m. on Election Day, it is simply impossible to get through all of that in 13 hours or even in 20 hours, and so we're planning to take a few days to ensure the process is secure and accurate and that's certainly what the work entails."
Interview Highlights
There's been some opposition or reservations about beginning to count, hasn't there?
Yes and we've worked with our legislature to give our clerks a little more time to process the ballots prior to Election Day, which basically means opening the envelopes, checking the signatures, flattening out the ballots, [and] preparing them to be tabulated. And so they've given our clerks an extra day to begin that process, which is helpful, but of course doesn't go nearly enough to address the entire issue. Many other states have as many as seven days for that pre-processing.
Let me ask about in-person voting as people may choose to do it on, I guess, what we still call Election Day. There were long lines in some cities in Michigan earlier this year, as I don't have to tell you, for primary elections. Are you worried about that? Do you think the earlier voting might thin out the lines?
Yes, I certainly do. One of the things we have seen this year is by spreading out and giving citizens options to either vote early or vote through the mail, we've been able to manage record turnout with minimal lines and crowding on Election Day. Now we've also kept all of our precincts open, which we've been able to do through a very significant aggressive poll worker recruitment effort that we began in April. And when you look at other states, what they do have those long lines, oftentimes it's related to the closure of precincts or the consolidation of precincts.
And of course people are still voting in the middle of a pandemic. This has to cause you some concern. What steps are you taking to try to guarantee the safety of voters and election workers?
While keeping our precincts open while encouraging citizens to vote early or through the mail and minimizing crowding, we've also provided election workers with PPE, with masks, with gloves, with hand sanitizers. The voting booths comply with our CDC social distancing guidelines to, again, minimize the potential for crowding. All of that has enabled us to create safe polling places and, at this point, I feel very confident that voters will not have to risk their health in order to cast their vote in person.
Andrew Craig and Hadeel Al-Shalchi produced and edited the audio version of this story.


npr--2020-09-26--A Supreme Fight For America Begins Now

A Supreme Fight For America Begins Now

Saturday is a big day for the future of the country .
President Trump formally announced conservative federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Barrett , a former law professor at Notre Dame and Supreme Court law clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia , said she would be a justice in Scalia 's mold .
`` His judicial philosophy is mine , too , '' Barrett said .
At 48 , she would have a prominent role in reshaping American society and culture for generations .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's decision , he has a more short-term concern — the upcoming elections .
`` I think this will end up in the Supreme Court .
And I think it 's very important we have nine justices , '' Trump said Wednesday .
What 's more , later in the day , he would n't commit to a peaceful transfer of power in response to a reporter 's question .
`` We 're going to have to see what happens , you know , but I 've been complaining very strongly about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his unfounded claim of widespread voter fraud .
`` The ballots are a disaster . ''
Responding to a follow-up question , Trump added , `` Get rid of the ballots , and you 'll have a very peaceful — there wo n't be a transfer , frankly .
There will be a continuation . ''
When Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was asked about Trump 's remarks , Biden asked facetiously , `` What country are we in ?
Look , he says the most irrational things .
I do n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a later interview that Trump 's comments were a `` distraction '' and that at the end of the day , if Trump loses , `` he 'll leave . ''
The White House tried to walk back Trump 's comments , but on Thursday , Trump again questioned the legitimacy of the election because of mail-in ballots .
`` We want to make sure the election is honest , '' he said , `` and I 'm not sure that it can be . ''
At a Friday night rally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his comments .
`` Then they say , 'He does n't want to turn over government ' — of course I do .
But it 's got to be a fair election , '' he said , before rattling off a litany of complaints about mail-in voting in Democratic states .
`` You know a real big problem ?
I like watching television , and have , 'The winner is . '
You might not hear it for months , because this is a mess , '' he said , noting it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count mail-in ballots .
`` If we 're waiting for one state , does that mean the whole nation — the whole world — is going to wait for one state ? ''
The New York Times reported Friday that `` senior leaders at the Pentagon , speaking on the condition of anonymity , acknowledged that they were talking among themselves about what to do if Mr. Trump , who will still be president from Election Day to Inauguration Day , invokes the Insurrection Act and tries to send troops into the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protests against police brutality and systemic racism . ''
It can be hard to know when Trump is being serious or just trying to get attention and troll the left and the news media .
But voting is underway this election , and nothing should be surprising in these next five weeks — or beyond .

A Supreme Fight For America Begins Now
Enlarge this image toggle caption Pool/Getty Images Pool/Getty Images
Updated 5:54 p.m. ET
Saturday is a big day for the future of the country.
President Trump formally announced conservative federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Barrett, a former law professor at Notre Dame and Supreme Court law clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, said she would be a justice in Scalia's mold.
"His judicial philosophy is mine, too," Barrett said.
At 48, she would have a prominent role in reshaping American society and culture for generations.
But while that is a factor in Trump's decision, he has a more short-term concern — the upcoming elections.
"I think this will end up in the Supreme Court. And I think it's very important we have nine justices," Trump said Wednesday.
What's more, later in the day, he wouldn't commit to a peaceful transfer of power in response to a reporter's question.
"We're going to have to see what happens, you know, but I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots," Trump said, repeating his unfounded claim of widespread voter fraud. "The ballots are a disaster."
Responding to a follow-up question, Trump added, "Get rid of the ballots, and you'll have a very peaceful — there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation."
When Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was asked about Trump's remarks, Biden asked facetiously, "What country are we in? Look, he says the most irrational things. I don't know what to say." Biden said in a later interview that Trump's comments were a "distraction" and that at the end of the day, if Trump loses, "he'll leave."
The White House tried to walk back Trump's comments, but on Thursday, Trump again questioned the legitimacy of the election because of mail-in ballots.
"We want to make sure the election is honest," he said, "and I'm not sure that it can be."
At a Friday night rally, Trump mocked the media for raising alarms about his comments. "Then they say, 'He doesn't want to turn over government' — of course I do. But it's got to be a fair election," he said, before rattling off a litany of complaints about mail-in voting in Democratic states.
"You know a real big problem? I like watching television, and have, 'The winner is.' You might not hear it for months, because this is a mess," he said, noting it could take a week or two to count mail-in ballots. "If we're waiting for one state, does that mean the whole nation — the whole world — is going to wait for one state?"
The New York Times reported Friday that "senior leaders at the Pentagon, speaking on the condition of anonymity, acknowledged that they were talking among themselves about what to do if Mr. Trump, who will still be president from Election Day to Inauguration Day, invokes the Insurrection Act and tries to send troops into the streets, as he threatened to do during the protests against police brutality and systemic racism."
It can be hard to know when Trump is being serious or just trying to get attention and troll the left and the news media. But voting is underway this election, and nothing should be surprising in these next five weeks — or beyond.


npr--2020-09-26--Trump Announces Amy Coney Barrett As His Supreme Court Nominee

President Trump says he will nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court , spurring what 's likely to be a bitter confirmation fight just weeks before the presidential election .
If confirmed by the Senate , the 48-year-old judge will solidify the court 's conservative majority , shaping the trajectory of health care law , abortion rights and many corners of American life for generations to come .
From a White House Rose Garden draped with flags , Trump called nominating a Supreme Court justice one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett as a `` one of our nation 's most brilliant legal minds . ''
Cheers rippled through the crowd of about 200 people when Trump finally said Barrett 's name .
`` This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation , '' Trump said .
`` Should be very easy .
Good luck .
It 's going to be very quick .
I 'm sure it will be extremely noncontroversial .
We said that the last time , did n't we ? ''
Barrett began her speech acknowledging the shoes she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` woman of enormous talent and consequence '' who not only cracked , but `` smashed '' glass ceilings and won the admiration of women around the world .
The judge said she has been inspired by Ginsburg 's close relationship with Antonin Scalia , the late conservative justice for whom Barrett once clerked .
`` His judicial philosophy is mine , too , '' Barrett said as Scalia 's wife and son looked on from the audience .
`` A judge must apply the law as written .
Judges are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting aside any policy views they might hold . ''
In introducing his nominee , Trump linked the weight of a Supreme Court appointment with a message he touts on the campaign trail , calling `` law and order '' the foundation of the U.S. justice system .
`` The stakes for our country are incredibly high , '' Trump said .
`` Rulings that the Supreme Court will issue in the coming years will decide the survival of our Second Amendment , our religious liberty , our public safety and so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prosperity , we must maintain our priceless heritage of a nation of laws and there is no one better to do that than Amy Coney Barrett . ''
Barrett also introduced her husband and seven children , who were seated in the audience , joking that it makes sense that Trump is nominating her to join a bench of nine justices .
`` As it happens , I 'm used to being in a group of nine : my family , '' Barrett said , telling the audience that in addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : carpool driver , birthday party planner and , recently , teacher , as her children attend school remotely because of the pandemic .
Barrett also seemed to acknowledge the charged political moment she 's stepping into , saying she has `` no illusions that the road ahead for me will be easy . ''
`` The president has nominated me to serve on the United States Supreme Court , and that institution belongs to all of us .
If confirmed , I would not assume that role for the sake of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my own sake .
I would assume this role to serve you .
I would discharge the judicial oath , which requires me to administer justice without respect to persons , do equal right to the poor and rich , and faithfully and impartially discharge my duties under the United States Constitution . ''
Trump appointed Barrett to the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago just three years ago .
Before that , she taught law at the University of Notre Dame for 15 years and had clerked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a legal legend .
Barrett is admired by conservatives for her positions on abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act , also known as Obamacare .
A devout Catholic , she is also a favorite of religious conservatives .
At 48 , Barrett would be the youngest justice on the Supreme Court if confirmed , allowing her to potentially shape American law and society for generations .
Within hours of Ginsburg 's death last Friday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , pledged to bring Trump 's nominee for a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made clear he wants his nominee approved by Election Day , predicting that the results of the presidential election may end up in front of the Supreme Court .
Democrats , including presidential nominee Joe Biden , say whoever wins in November should pick the next justice , citing McConnell 's successful effort in 2016 to block President Barack Obama 's nominee for the Supreme Court , Merrick Garland , about eight months before the election .
Now , Trump is setting up a Supreme Court fight just over a month before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have said they do not support a vote on a nominee before the election , other Republican senators considered to be potential swing votes , including Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , announced they would support moving forward with a Supreme Court confirmation .
That support likely gives Trump the votes he will need to get his nominee on the bench .
Still , Capitol Hill is bracing for a high-stakes political battle in the weeks and even days leading up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both in the presidential contest and for several tight Senate races .
A Senate Republican aide told NPR on Saturday that confirmation hearings are set to begin on Oct. 12 and last four days .
The Democrats have already been framing the nomination as a battle to preserve health care — with a major challenge to the Affordable Care Act on the court 's schedule this fall — while Republicans see abortion as a salient issue to bolster support for Trump 's filling the seat as soon as possible .
Trump began promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court announced Ginsburg had died .
During a rally in North Carolina last Saturday night , Trump promised to pick a woman for the seat , a nod to Ginsburg 's lifelong efforts to promote the equality of women under the law .
This week , thousands of mourners lined up outside the Supreme Court where Ginsburg 's casket lay in repose at the top of the court 's marble steps .
On Friday , Ginsburg lay in state inside the U.S. Capitol 's Statuary Hall , the first woman and the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ginsburg will be buried at Arlington Cemetery on Tuesday , following the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur .

Trump Announces Amy Coney Barrett As His Supreme Court Nominee
Enlarge this image toggle caption Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 6:20 p.m. ET
President Trump says he will nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court, spurring what's likely to be a bitter confirmation fight just weeks before the presidential election.
If confirmed by the Senate, the 48-year-old judge will solidify the court's conservative majority, shaping the trajectory of health care law, abortion rights and many corners of American life for generations to come.
From a White House Rose Garden draped with flags, Trump called nominating a Supreme Court justice one of the most important duties of his office and praised Barrett as a "one of our nation's most brilliant legal minds."
Cheers rippled through the crowd of about 200 people when Trump finally said Barrett's name.
"This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation," Trump said. "Should be very easy. Good luck. It's going to be very quick. I'm sure it will be extremely noncontroversial. We said that the last time, didn't we?"
(Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Trump's previous Supreme Court nominee, was subjected to extra scrutiny by the public and Senate Democrats because of a sexual assault allegation.)
Barrett began her speech acknowledging the shoes she is being asked to fill, calling Ginsburg a "woman of enormous talent and consequence" who not only cracked, but "smashed" glass ceilings and won the admiration of women around the world.
The judge said she has been inspired by Ginsburg's close relationship with Antonin Scalia, the late conservative justice for whom Barrett once clerked.
"His judicial philosophy is mine, too," Barrett said as Scalia's wife and son looked on from the audience. "A judge must apply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold."
In introducing his nominee, Trump linked the weight of a Supreme Court appointment with a message he touts on the campaign trail, calling "law and order" the foundation of the U.S. justice system.
"The stakes for our country are incredibly high," Trump said. "Rulings that the Supreme Court will issue in the coming years will decide the survival of our Second Amendment, our religious liberty, our public safety and so much more. To maintain security, liberty and prosperity, we must maintain our priceless heritage of a nation of laws and there is no one better to do that than Amy Coney Barrett."
Barrett also introduced her husband and seven children, who were seated in the audience, joking that it makes sense that Trump is nominating her to join a bench of nine justices.
"As it happens, I'm used to being in a group of nine: my family," Barrett said, telling the audience that in addition to federal judge, she wears other hats: carpool driver, birthday party planner and, recently, teacher, as her children attend school remotely because of the pandemic.
Barrett also seemed to acknowledge the charged political moment she's stepping into, saying she has "no illusions that the road ahead for me will be easy."
"The president has nominated me to serve on the United States Supreme Court, and that institution belongs to all of us. If confirmed, I would not assume that role for the sake of those in my own circle and certainly not for my own sake. I would assume this role to serve you. I would discharge the judicial oath, which requires me to administer justice without respect to persons, do equal right to the poor and rich, and faithfully and impartially discharge my duties under the United States Constitution."
Trump appointed Barrett to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago just three years ago. Before that, she taught law at the University of Notre Dame for 15 years and had clerked for Scalia, widely seen by conservatives as a legal legend.
Barrett is admired by conservatives for her positions on abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. A devout Catholic, she is also a favorite of religious conservatives. At 48, Barrett would be the youngest justice on the Supreme Court if confirmed, allowing her to potentially shape American law and society for generations.
Within hours of Ginsburg's death last Friday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pledged to bring Trump's nominee for a vote on the Senate floor. The president has made clear he wants his nominee approved by Election Day, predicting that the results of the presidential election may end up in front of the Supreme Court.
Democrats, including presidential nominee Joe Biden, say whoever wins in November should pick the next justice, citing McConnell's successful effort in 2016 to block President Barack Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, about eight months before the election. Now, Trump is setting up a Supreme Court fight just over a month before the 2020 election.
While Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have said they do not support a vote on a nominee before the election, other Republican senators considered to be potential swing votes, including Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, announced they would support moving forward with a Supreme Court confirmation.
That support likely gives Trump the votes he will need to get his nominee on the bench. Still, Capitol Hill is bracing for a high-stakes political battle in the weeks and even days leading up to the election, spilling onto the campaign trail both in the presidential contest and for several tight Senate races.
A Senate Republican aide told NPR on Saturday that confirmation hearings are set to begin on Oct. 12 and last four days.
The Democrats have already been framing the nomination as a battle to preserve health care — with a major challenge to the Affordable Care Act on the court's schedule this fall — while Republicans see abortion as a salient issue to bolster support for Trump's filling the seat as soon as possible.
Trump began promoting his forthcoming nomination the day after the court announced Ginsburg had died. During a rally in North Carolina last Saturday night, Trump promised to pick a woman for the seat, a nod to Ginsburg's lifelong efforts to promote the equality of women under the law.
This week, thousands of mourners lined up outside the Supreme Court where Ginsburg's casket lay in repose at the top of the court's marble steps. On Friday, Ginsburg lay in state inside the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall, the first woman and the first Jewish American to receive such an honor.
Ginsburg will be buried at Arlington Cemetery on Tuesday, following the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur.


npr--2020-09-25--Missouri Governor And Wife To Host Fall Festival Days After COVID-19 Diagnosis

Missouri Governor And Wife To Host Fall Festival Days After COVID-19 Diagnosis Just two days after announcing that they have contracted the coronavirus , Republican Gov .
Mike Parson and his wife , Teresa Parson , have reassured Missourians that they still plan to host their annual fall festival next month .
`` WE WILL BE PROCEEDING WITH THIS EVENT , '' the first lady wrote in all caps on Twitter .
`` Come enjoy the outdoor activities and the beautiful fall decorations , '' she urged residents .
Although , the governor has declined to issue a statewide mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted on Friday that masks will be available and `` social distancing encouraged ! ''
The festivities will include several vendors , children 's activities and bluegrass musical entertainment , according to The Associated Press .
The event is scheduled to take place on Oct. 3 , the final day of a 10-day quarantine window recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 .
The response to the announcement has drawn praise and ridicule online .
With those who support the governor pledging they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event as a public health risk going so far as to report the event to the St. Louis Police Department .
It is unclear what action the police department can take to stop the festival , but Cole County public health guidance discourages large gatherings .
The Parsons were diagnosed with the highly contagious virus on Wednesday and are currently under quarantine .
Gov .
Parson , who is up for reelection , has come under fire from critics and his own public health officials for regularly eschewing medical advice — choosing not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events and campaign rallies .
And on multiple occasions , he has been photographed failing to maintain a 6-foot distance from constituents .
He was also lambasted after he downplayed the risks Missouri children would face upon returning to school amid the pandemic .
Noting that children are less likely to contract the coronavirus , he said , `` If they do get COVID-19 , which they will — and they will when they go to school — they 're not going to the hospitals .
They 're not going to have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to go home and they 're going to get over it . ''
`` We got ta move on , '' he continued .
As of Wednesday , the governor said that he and the first lady `` are both fine '' and that he is not suffering any symptoms related to COVID-19 .
State officials have confirmed 120,298 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic and 1,994 deaths .
In the last 24 hours , 1,987 new cases and 42 deaths were reported .
The average age of @ @ @ @ @ @

Missouri Governor And Wife To Host Fall Festival Days After COVID-19 Diagnosis
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Roberson/AP Jeff Roberson/AP
Just two days after announcing that they have contracted the coronavirus, Republican Gov. Mike Parson and his wife, Teresa Parson, have reassured Missourians that they still plan to host their annual fall festival next month.
"WE WILL BE PROCEEDING WITH THIS EVENT," the first lady wrote in all caps on Twitter.
"Come enjoy the outdoor activities and the beautiful fall decorations," she urged residents.
Although, the governor has declined to issue a statewide mandate for face coverings, the first lady noted on Friday that masks will be available and "social distancing encouraged!"
The festivities will include several vendors, children's activities and bluegrass musical entertainment, according to The Associated Press.
The event is scheduled to take place on Oct. 3, the final day of a 10-day quarantine window recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19.
The response to the announcement has drawn praise and ridicule online. With those who support the governor pledging they will attend, and those who view the event as a public health risk going so far as to report the event to the St. Louis Police Department.
It is unclear what action the police department can take to stop the festival, but Cole County public health guidance discourages large gatherings.
The Parsons were diagnosed with the highly contagious virus on Wednesday and are currently under quarantine.
Gov. Parson, who is up for reelection, has come under fire from critics and his own public health officials for regularly eschewing medical advice — choosing not to wear a face covering at public events and campaign rallies. And on multiple occasions, he has been photographed failing to maintain a 6-foot distance from constituents.
He was also lambasted after he downplayed the risks Missouri children would face upon returning to school amid the pandemic.
Noting that children are less likely to contract the coronavirus, he said, "If they do get COVID-19, which they will — and they will when they go to school — they're not going to the hospitals. They're not going to have to sit in doctors' offices. They're going to go home and they're going to get over it."
"We gotta move on," he continued.
As of Wednesday, the governor said that he and the first lady "are both fine" and that he is not suffering any symptoms related to COVID-19.
State officials have confirmed 120,298 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic and 1,994 deaths. In the last 24 hours, 1,987 new cases and 42 deaths were reported. The average age of a COVID-19 patient is 42.


npr--2020-09-27--What Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination Means For The 2020 Election

What Amy Coney Barrett 's Supreme Court Nomination Means For The 2020 Election Supporters and opponents of Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination to the Supreme Court wasted no time launching a high-pitched battle over her confirmation , with just 37 days until the election .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has the support of Republicans to move forward with the confirmation process and confirm Barrett on the Senate floor before Nov. 3 , barring any development in her vetting .
But a flurry of emails from interest groups representing pro- and anti-abortion rights , gun issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard — making the Supreme Court an issue that would be front and center in the closing days of the presidential election .
It also means it will likely be a central issue in key Senate races around the country .
Control of the chamber is in play this election , and Republicans are fighting off stiff challenges in several states where the issue is beginning to pop up in ads .
Recent polls have shown Democratic nominee Joe Biden ahead of President Trump , but the focus has largely been on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Changing the subject to the future of the court , and the prospect of a 6-3 conservative majority , could help energize GOP voters in key swing states and inject new urgency into the election .
A rally of liberal groups in front of the Supreme Court was scheduled for Sunday afternoon , and senators who expected to be on recess for the final fall stretch to campaign will return to the Capitol early this week instead to handle a confirmation process that will take center stage , with efforts to put together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to begin meeting with senators early this week , and the Senate Judiciary Committee is slated to begin hearings on Oct. 12 .
The panel is expected to hold four days of hearings with time for the traditional day of opening statements , questioning of Barrett , and testimony from outside witnesses .
That does n't leave a lot of time for the panel to finish the FBI background check and review answers to the committee 's lengthy questionnaire that nominees submit ahead of the hearings .
The FBI on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background investigation is requested by the White House .
`` The FBI works background investigations through its established investigative process , and as expeditiously as possible , while ensuring that the background investigation is accurate and complete , '' according to a statement from the bureau .
`` This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation .
It should be very easy — good luck , '' President Trump said at his Saturday event in the Rose Garden announcing his pick , but the crowd of supporters laughed .
`` It 's going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure it will be extremely noncontroversial .
We said that the last time , did n't we ? ''
Barrett is Trump 's third Supreme Court nominee .
His last pick was Justice Brett Kavanaugh , who came under additional scrutiny over a sexual assault allegation .
But while Trump is predicting expediency this time , senators on both sides of the aisle and outside groups gearing up for a contentious process have no illusions that it will be easy , even with the outcome not really in any doubt .
Mike Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project , a group created to support the president 's judicial nominees , said the night before Barrett 's nomination was even announced that his group would `` take off the gloves , put on the brass knuckles , and punch back on the left 's attacks on President Trump 's next Supreme Court nominee – a fight that will make Kavanaugh 's look like a walk in the park . ''
As Barrett acknowledged Saturday , she would be filling the seat left by the death of a trailblazing woman — Ruth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture icon on the left , with the nickname the `` Notorious RBG . ''
GOP supporters were already trying to frame her pick as appealing to women .
The Senate Republicans ' campaign arm began selling T-shirts with `` Notorious A.C.B . ''
emblazed on them .
Conservatives are focusing on Barrett 's record as a federal judge , and the fact that she received support from three Senate Democrats when she was confirmed to the 7th Circuit Court in 2017 .
They are embracing her as justice in the mold of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barrett said on Saturday about Scalia , `` His judicial philosophy is mine , too . ''
For Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , who is balancing concerns about control of the chamber with his chief goal of remaking the federal judiciary , the possibility of confirming Barrett , who would install a conservative majority on the court potentially for decades , is incentive to push ahead .
But a Washington Post-ABC poll released on Friday shows there could be backlash to the vote this close to the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination of a justice to the high court should wait until after the election , and 38 % backed action now by the president and the GOP-controlled Senate .
Trump was eager to make the issue a staple of his stump speech — he appeared at a rally in Middletown , Pa. , in front of a large red screen that said , `` Fill That Seat ! ''
And he touted his slew of judicial appointments , each one a life term .
Democrats , who recognize they do n't have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are pivoting to make the debate about health care and the future of the Affordable Care Act .
A case pending before the high court 's fall session has the potential to dismantle the law , and Senate Democrats one after the other pointed out that Barrett has publicly opposed the law and argued that adding her to the court in the middle of a pandemic risks coverage for millions of Americans .
`` The deadly COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 200,000 Americans in a matter of months .
Yet , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working families during COVID-19 , Trump and the Senate Republicans are focused on jamming through this nomination in a transparent grab for power so they can achieve their long-sought goal of repealing the Affordable Care Act and ripping away healthcare from millions — including every COVID-19 survivor who now has a pre-existing condition , '' Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth , said in a written statement announcing she was a no vote on the nominee .
Outside groups framed Barrett as potentially casting the deciding vote on the court on the ACA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to oppose the president 's nominees , dubbed Barrett `` anti-ACA Amy Coney Barrett '' and argued the process moving ahead to hearings in weeks was unfair .
Saturday night , the group projected the words `` SAVE HEALTH CARE '' on the side of the Trump International Hotel in Washington , D.C. Eleanor Smeal , president of the Feminist Majority Foundation , a liberal group focused on equal rights and social justice , told NPR before the president made his Barrett nomination official that Ginsburg 's death was a `` wake-up call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health care front and center for many who may have taken the issue for granted .
`` I know that it 's energized our side .
... None of us wanted this to happen , but it does make very visual trends that we knew was there , those of us who are very active knew that this is an extremely important election , '' Smeal said .
Smeal 's group joined with other women 's organizations to create a super PAC called `` Vote for Equality '' that is setting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with competitive Senate races to attempt to educate younger voters about the legal issues that could end up before the Supreme Court .
Biden 's running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and will get the chance to question Barrett , a moment that will likely get wall-to-wall national television coverage .
But with little ability to alter the outcome , she may use the opportunity to highlight the issues she thinks are at stake in the election , and spend less time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters whom the ticket is hoping to attract .
The two Democrats who are still in the Senate now who backed Barrett 's 2017 nomination to the federal bench — Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia — said they would vote no now because of how Senate GOP leaders are handling the process .
`` I can not support a process that risks further division of the American people at a time when we desperately need to come together .
I will not vote to confirm Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Election Day on November 3rd .
I urge my Republican friends to slow down , put people before politics , and give their constituents a chance to vote , '' Manchin said .

What Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination Means For The 2020 Election
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Supporters and opponents of Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court wasted no time launching a high-pitched battle over her confirmation, with just 37 days until the election.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has the support of Republicans to move forward with the confirmation process and confirm Barrett on the Senate floor before Nov. 3, barring any development in her vetting.
But in a flurry of emails, interest groups representing pro- and anti-abortion rights, gun issues, health care and more pledged to fight hard — making the Supreme Court an issue that could be front and center in the closing days of the presidential election.
It also means it will likely be a central issue in key Senate races around the United States. Control of the chamber is in play this election, and Republicans are fighting off stiff challenges in several states where the issue is beginning to pop up in ads.
Recent polls have shown Democratic nominee Joe Biden ahead of President Trump, but the focus has largely been on the president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Changing the subject to the future of the court and the prospect of a 6-3 conservative majority could help energize Republican voters in key swing states and inject new urgency into the election.
A rally of liberal groups in front of the Supreme Court was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and senators who expected to be on recess for the final fall stretch to campaign will return to the Capitol early this week instead to handle a confirmation process that will take center stage, with efforts to put together another coronavirus relief package fading.
Barrett is expected to begin meeting with senators early this week, and the Senate Judiciary Committee is slated to begin hearings on Oct. 12. The panel is expected to hold four days of hearings with time for the traditional day of opening statements, questioning of Barrett and testimony from outside witnesses. That doesn't leave a lot of time for the panel to finish the FBI background check and review answers to the committee's lengthy questionnaire that nominees submit ahead of the hearings.
The FBI on Friday noted that the scope of such a background investigation is requested by the White House. "The FBI works background investigations through its established investigative process, and as expeditiously as possible, while ensuring that the background investigation is accurate and complete," according to a statement from the bureau.
"This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation. It should be very easy — good luck," Trump said in announcing his pick at his Saturday event at the Rose Garden, but the crowd of supporters laughed. "It's going to be very quick. I'm sure it will be extremely noncontroversial. We said that the last time, didn't we?"
Barrett is Trump's third Supreme Court nominee. His last pick was Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who came under additional scrutiny over a sexual assault allegation.
But while Trump is predicting expediency this time, senators on both sides of the aisle and outside groups gearing up for a contentious process have no illusions that it will be easy, even with the outcome not really in any doubt.
Mike Davis, the founder of the Article III Project, a group created to support the president's judicial nominees, said the night before Barrett's nomination was announced that his group would "take off the gloves, put on the brass knuckles, and punch back on the left's attacks on President Trump's next Supreme Court nominee — a fight that will make Kavanaugh's look like a walk in the park."
As Barrett acknowledged Saturday, she would be filling the seat left by the death of a trailblazing woman — Ruth Bader Ginsburg — who became a pop culture icon on the left, with the nickname the "Notorious RBG."
GOP supporters of Barrett were already trying to frame her pick as appealing to women. The Senate Republicans' campaign arm began selling T-shirts with "Notorious A.C.B." emblazed on them.
Conservatives are focusing on Barrett's record as a federal judge and the fact that she received support from three Senate Democrats when she was confirmed to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017. They are embracing her as a justice in the mold of Antonin Scalia, for whom she clerked. Barrett said on Saturday about Scalia, "His judicial philosophy is mine too."
For McConnell, who is balancing concerns about control of the chamber with his chief goal of remaking the federal judiciary, the possibility of confirming Barrett, who would install a conservative majority on the court potentially for decades, is incentive to push ahead.
But a Washington Post-ABC poll released on Friday shows that there could be backlash to the vote this close to the election. Fifty-seven percent of those polled said the nomination of a justice to the high court should wait until after the election, and 38% backed action now by the president and the Republican-controlled Senate.
Trump was eager to make the issue a staple of his stump speech: He appeared at a rally on Saturday night in Middletown, Pa., in front of a large red screen that said, "Fill That Seat!" And he touted his slew of judicial appointments, each one a life term.
Democrats, who recognize they don't have the votes to block Barrett's confirmation, are pivoting to make the debate about health care and the future of the Affordable Care Act. A case pending before the high court's fall session has the potential to dismantle the law, and Senate Democrats one after the other pointed out that Barrett has publicly opposed the law and argued that adding her to the court in the middle of a pandemic risks coverage for millions of Americans.
"The deadly COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 200,000 Americans in a matter of months. Yet, instead of addressing the many life-and-death issues facing working families during COVID-19, Trump and the Senate Republicans are focused on jamming through this nomination in a transparent grab for power so they can achieve their long-sought goal of repealing the Affordable Care Act and ripping away healthcare from millions — including every COVID-19 survivor who now has a pre-existing condition," Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth said in a written statement announcing she was a no vote on the nominee.
Outside groups framed Barrett as potentially casting the deciding vote on the court on the ACA. Demand Justice, a progressive group formed to oppose the president's nominees, dubbed Barrett "anti-ACA Amy Coney Barrett" and argued that the process moving ahead to hearings in weeks was unfair. Saturday night, the group projected the words "SAVE HEALTH CARE" on the side of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, a liberal group focused on equal rights and social justice, told NPR before the president made his Barrett nomination official that Ginsburg's death was a "wake-up call" that would help put the issue of health care front and center for many who may have taken the issue for granted.
"I know that it's energized our side. ... None of us wanted this to happen, but it does make very visual trends that we knew was there. Those of us who are very active knew that this is an extremely important election," Smeal said.
Smeal's group joined with other women's organizations to create a super PAC called Vote for Equality that is setting up efforts on college campuses in seven states with competitive Senate races to attempt to educate younger voters about the legal issues that could end up before the Supreme Court.
Biden's running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and will get the chance to question Barrett, a moment that will likely get wall-to-wall national television coverage.
But with little ability to alter the outcome, she may use the opportunity to highlight the issues she thinks are at stake in the election and spend less time drilling down into controversial topics that divide voters whom the Democratic ticket is hoping to attract.
The two Democrats still in the Senate who backed Barrett's 2017 nomination to the federal bench — Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia — said they would vote no now because of how Senate GOP leaders are handling the process.
"I cannot support a process that risks further division of the American people at a time when we desperately need to come together. I will not vote to confirm Judge Coney Barrett or any Supreme Court nominee before Election Day on November 3rd. I urge my Republican friends to slow down, put people before politics, and give their constituents a chance to vote," Manchin said.