A man bikes ago the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, June 25, 2020.
Al Drago | Reuters
The Supreme Court said Friday that it purpose continue hearing arguments in cases remotely over the telephone for at least the rest of the year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Yet it draw together the prospect it could return to the courtroom in January.
That announcement means the Supreme Court will remotely heed arguments Nov. 10 in a case that could result in the elimination of the Affordable Care Act health-care law, also known as Obamacare.
The resolving to continue holding arguments over the phone was expected.
The high court started hearing cases remotely stay spring, as the Covid-19 pandemic spread throughout the United States. The hearings can be heard by the public on media livestreams online.
“The Court will-power hear all oral arguments scheduled for the November and December sessions by telephone conference, following the same format habituated to for the October teleconference arguments,” the court’s press office said in a statement.
“In keeping with public health government in response to COVID-19, the Justices and counsel will all participate remotely. The Court building remains open for accepted business only and closed to the public until further notice.”
The statement added, “The Court will continue to closely superintend public health guidance in determining plans for the January argument session.”
The Supreme Court began its current style this week. The court currently has only eight justices, because of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg up to date month.
President Donald Trump, who is facing a strong reelection challenge from Democratic nominee Joe Biden, has suggested a conservative appeals court judge, Amy Coney Barrett, to replace the liberal Ginsburg.
The White House event at which Trump formally hint ated Barrett’s nomination two weeks ago is considered to be a superspreader event, because it was followed by positive tests for coronavirus by multiple attendees, counting the president and first lady Melania Trump.
Other attendees who tested positive include White House crush secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two assistant press secretaries, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, ex-Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway, and the Rev. John Jenkins, the president of Notre Dame University.
Two Republican senators who sit on the Senate’s Judiciary Board, Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also were diagnosed with Covid-19 after handling the event.
The Judiciary Committee is responsible for reviewing Barrett’s nomination before sending it to the full Senate for consideration.
Confirmation hearings for Barrett are set to start Monday.