Pence, who may have been exposed to coronavirus, won't preside over Barrett confirmation vote
Vice President Mike Pence won’t preside over Monday’s Senate vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Pence is busy campaigning in Minnesota, his aides explained, but the announcement follows complaints from Senate Democrats that Pence has been exposed to the coronavirus and may be contagious. Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, as well as a handful of other employees in his office have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days. Senate Democrats sent a letter to Pence early Monday demanding he stay away from the Capitol, where he planned to preside as Senate president. “Not only would your presence in the Senate Chamber tomorrow be a clear violation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, it would also be a violation of common decency and courtesy,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats wrote to Pence on Monday. Pence’s role would have been purely ceremonial. He’s not needed to break a tie vote because Republicans have at least 52 votes to confirm Barrett. The vote is slated for about 7:30 but could occur earlier if Democrats give up some of the debate time. Pence tweeted he would not be in Washington today but would instead be traveling to Minnesota. “On my way, MINNESOTA! We’re just 8 days away from a Great Victory for this Nation and I couldn’t be happier to visit some great Americans in the North Star State today!” Pence tweeted.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/pence-who-may-have-been-exposed-to-coronavirus-wont-preside-over-barrett-confirmation-vote