HEALTH

Will COVID-19 diagnosis for Mike Lee interfere with SCOTUS confirmation process?

Oct 2, 2020, 6:37 PM

Will Mike Lee's COVID-19 diagnosis interfere with SCOTUS confirmation process? post-pandemic world...

(Sen. Mike Lee, at the Capitol in Washington, September 21, 2020. Lee is one of several Republicans demanding the DOJ to not get involved with school board meetings. Credit: J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press)

(Sen. Mike Lee, at the Capitol in Washington, September 21, 2020. Lee is one of several Republicans demanding the DOJ to not get involved with school board meetings. Credit: J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Utah’s senior senator, Mike Lee, is one of the latest high-profile politicians to test positive for COVID-19.  Will this have any impact on his role in the upcoming Senate confirmation hearings to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court?  Political analysts say that depends on how sick he gets, and how long the possible illness lasts.

Senator Lee issued a statement saying he went to the doctor after feeling symptoms “consistent with longtime allergies,” but, out of an abundance of caution, he got tested for COVID-19.

The statement reads, “Unlike the test I took just a few days ago while visiting the White House, yesterday’s test came back positive.  On advice of the Senate attending physician, I will remain isolated for the next 10 days.”

(The official statement from Mike Lee)

Lee says he assured Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham that he will return in time for the confirmation process of Judge Amy Coney Barrett.  If he’s feeling well and not showing any signs of the disease at the end of his 10-day isolation, political analysts say the confirmation hearings will go on as if nothing happened.

However, what happens if he gets very sick?  University of Utah Political Science Professor Tim Chambless says, technically, Lee doesn’t have to be present for the confirmation hearings, which have been scheduled for October 12.

“Senator Lee, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, could ‘attend’ the hearing but do it remotely or virtually and be able to participate and ask questions,” says Chambless.

That decision would be up to Committee Chair Graham, but, Chambless says other committees have allowed their members to participate online.

He says, “We have seen, earlier this year, committee meetings in the Senate and the House be conducted with modern technology.”

However, things will be different if the nomination moves to the Senate floor for a vote.

“Historically, to vote on the Senate floor, you have to be [there] in person.  You can’t call it in and you can’t have a staff member represent you,” according to Chambless.

Other senators have gone to great lengths to cast votes on important issues, even when their health was failing.  In 1964, California Senator Claire Engle was brought into the chamber on a gurney to vote on the Civil Rights Act.  Chambless says Engle was only able to lift his arm and point his finger, indicating a “yes” vote.  He died of cancer six weeks after that vote.

If several senators get ill, Graham is allowed to delay the confirmation vote, pushing it closer to November.  However, Chambless says this could seriously interfere with senators who need to return to their home states to campaign.  He believes there really is no reason why the vote has to happen before Election Day, adding that it could be pushed back to later November or even December.

Chambless says, “A vote could be taken any time during that period before the first day that Senate meets.”

 

Related Links:

Utah Senator Mike Lee tests positive for COVID-19

Sen. Mike Lee apologizes for comments critical of Edgemont Elementary

Live Mic: Sen. Mike Lee weighs in after Supreme Court rules against Nevada church

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Health

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

(Canva)...

Michelle Lee

How, and why, a hobby can bring joy to your life

If it brings you pleasure, is meaningful, and you can do it regularly, you've got yourself a hobby! Here's why they can benefit us so much.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah clinics winning the fight against overprescribed antibiotics

Intermountain Health and the University of Utah found that urgent-care facilities were more likely to prescribe antibiotics as a quick, easy solution.

11 months ago

Utah Food Bank...

Allessandra Harris

Utah Food Bank aims to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ this summer

The Utah Food Bank is joining forces with the Letter Carriers Union to collect non-perishable food items for those in need.

11 months ago

...

LEANNE ITALIE AP Entertainment Writer

Mommy blogger Heather Armstrong, known as Dooce to fans, dead at 47

Armstrong had laid bare her struggles as a mother and her battles with depression and alcoholism on her site, Dooce.com, and on social media since 2001.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Will COVID-19 diagnosis for Mike Lee interfere with SCOTUS confirmation process?