Graham dismisses calls to delay Barrett confirmation hearings

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump campaign files for Wis. recount l Secretaries of state fume at Trump allegations l Biden angered over transition delay Georgia elections chief: 'Emotional abuse' to mislead voters about fraud GOP breaks with Trump firing of cyber chief: Adds to 'confusion and chaos' MORE (R-S.C.) on Sunday dismissed calls from fellow senators to delay Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney BarrettAmy Coney BarrettDOJ plans three executions before Biden inauguration Defusing the judicial confirmation process Ted Cruz slams fellow senator as a 'complete ass' over wearing mask MORE’s confirmation hearings, saying the lawmakers will “go to work safely” on Monday.

Fox News’ Maria BartiromoMaria Sara BartiromoHouse GOP lawmaker: Biden should be recognized as president-elect Most Republicans avoid challenging Trump on election Senate Republicans sit quietly as Trump challenges vote counts MORE asked Graham on “Sunday Morning Futures” about some senators requesting to postpone the hearing after two GOP members of the panel tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. 

“Well, we're going to do what every American has to do come Monday – go to work safely,” Graham answered. 

Graham scheduled Barrett’s confirmation hearings to start on Monday as Republicans have committed to moving forward with the judge’s confirmation ahead of the election.

The South Carolina Republican, who is in a close race for reelection, said the coronavirus threat is “real” and he takes it “seriously.” He said the architect of the Capitol and the physician for the House and the Senate will set up the hearing room to ensure it follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. 

Graham said he was tested for the virus last week and “there’s no reason for me to be tested.”

“Anybody that has a concern about showing up can virtually interview Judge Barrett,” he said. “She will be there. I will be there.”

“And, to my Democratic colleagues, America has to go to work Monday including us,” Graham added. “We're going to work. We're going to work safely. If you don't want to come to the committee hearing, you can interview the judge virtually.”

Questions arose over whether Barrett’s confirmation hearings would continue as planned when Sens. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight Senate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse tests positive for COVID-19 MORE (R-Utah) and Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisGOP Rep. Dan Newhouse tests positive for COVID-19 Colorado Democrat Ed Perlmutter tests positive for coronavirus Lawmakers question tech CEOs about content moderation in first post-election hearing MORE (R-N.C.) tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, shortly after President TrumpDonald John TrumpManufacturers association calls on GSA to begin transition process Biden vote tally getting close to 80 million Brent Budowsky wins The Hill's 2020 election prediction contest MORE announced he had contracted the virus. 

Two other Republican members Sens. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzMcSally, staff asked to break up maskless photo op inside Capitol Capitol's COVID-19 spike could be bad Thanksgiving preview Republican senators urge Trump to label West Bank goods as 'Made in Israel' MORE (Texas) and Ben SasseBen SasseHillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software Cyber agency urges employees not to lose focus in wake of director's firing GOP breaks with Trump firing of cyber chief: Adds to 'confusion and chaos' MORE (Neb.) isolated themselves after contact with the other senators, but both said they expected to be back for Barrett’s hearings.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOn The Money: 12 million to lose federal unemployment benefits after Christmas | Warren urges Biden to cancel student debt | Stocks close with losses as states, cities reimpose COVID-19 restrictions Hillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software Overnight Health Care: US passes 250K COVID deaths | Pfizer says vaccine shows 95-percent efficacy | Coronavirus relief at a standstill MORE also dismissed requests last week to delay the hearings. 

“That's the plan and there's nothing I can see that would keep that from happening,” he said in an interview on Fox News.

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerBiden congratulates Pelosi on Speaker nomination Senate Democrats introduce bill to shore up PPE supply Organizations push congressional leaders to prioritize tech antitrust report MORE (D-N.Y.) said last week that Graham should mandate testing for senators or staff if the hearing continues as scheduled. 

Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisOn The Money: 12 million to lose federal unemployment benefits after Christmas | Warren urges Biden to cancel student debt | Stocks close with losses as states, cities reimpose COVID-19 restrictions OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight US is far from gender balance in politics despite record year for women candidates MORE (D-Calif.), the Democratic vice presidential candidate announced through a spokesperson on Sunday that she will participate in the hearings virtually.