Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Tuesday began meeting with senators who are expected to vote soon on her confirmation.
Barrett kicked off the traditional charm offensive with a three-minute press gaggle with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Vice President Mike Pence.
“We’re pleased today to welcome Judge Barrett to begin the process of advise and consent in the Senate. And if you know she’ll be visiting with members who are interested in talking to her during the course of the next few days,” McConnell said.
“We’re glad to have her here and glad to get the process started.”
Barrett, 48, was nominated on Saturday by President Trump and the trip is one of the first steps in a bitter partisan fight before the Nov. 3 election. She wore a blue dress and white pearl necklace for her Senate meetings and did not address reporters.
Pence, who would break a theoretical Senate tie vote, praised his fellow Indianan, who currently is a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
The vice president called Barrett “an extraordinary American” and “someone of great character, of great intellect, who has a judicial philosophy that will uphold the Constitution of the United States.”
“We urge our Democratic colleagues in the Senate to take the opportunity to meet with Judge Barrett and as the hearing goes forward, to provide the kind of respectful hearing that the American people expect,” Pence said.
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