WATCH: Sen. Patrick Lahey’s full opening statement in Barrett Supreme Court confirmation hearing

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. gave opening remarks Oct. 12 as the Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off its confirmation hearing for Amy Coney Barrett. Leahy focused on what filling the high court's seat could mean for the Affordable Care Act, which has long been a target of President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. He shared stories of several of his constituents who rely on the ACA's protections and who contacted his office worried about how the fight over Barrett's nomination would play out. "They're scared, Judge Barrett," he said. The hearing came about three weeks before the 2020 presidential election. The first of four days of scheduled testimony included an opening statement from Barrett, along with senators on the committee.

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Видео WATCH: Sen. Patrick Lahey’s full opening statement in Barrett Supreme Court confirmation hearing канала PBS NewsHour