Under the rules of the committee, any member can delay a committee vote until October 22, which Republicans are expecting. Republicans, then, would be forced to wait to have the initial post-hearing meeting until one of their GOP senators returns. But the fear among Republicans is that one or two GOP senators could change their minds in a lame-duck session if voters render a harsh judgment on their party at the polls in November. It's unclear what gives McConnell confidence that none of the three members were infected in the Senate, especially since GOP senators dine daily together three days a week. But when asked about that article, Barrett told Manchin she was laying out scenarios as law professor at Notre Dame.

Source: CNN October 07, 2020 19:41 UTC