Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Republicans March Toward Barrett Vote As Democrats Demand COVID Tests
Politico: 'I'll Go In A Moon Suit': Covid Outbreak Leaves GOP Unfazed In SCOTUS Fight
Senate Republicans are still moving forward with confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court — and they’re making no apologies for it. Senate Republicans, in statements and interviews Monday, defended their decision not to slow down their timeline for Barrett’s confirmation even as the coronavirus rips through Washington. The Senate Judiciary Committee is still scheduled to begin hearings Oct. 12. (Levine, 10/5)
The Hill: Schumer: Graham Must Require Testing For Senators, Staff Before Supreme Court Hearings
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Monday that Senate Republicans should require testing for senators and staff if they will not delay a Supreme Court hearing scheduled to start next week, amid an outbreak of coronavirus cases. (Carney, 10/5)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
The Washington Post: A U.S. Senator Kept Taking Off His Mask On A Delta Flight, Raising Questions About Safety Oversight
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the chairman of the Senate committee that oversees airlines and U.S. transportation policy, had his mask off for extended periods on a Delta flight to Mississippi on Thursday night, according to another passenger, and the company said he had to be reminded twice by a flight attendant to follow the airline’s mask requirement. The next day, the Trump administration rejected a union petition calling for a federal mandate requiring masks be worn on planes, trains and buses. (Laris and Aratani, 10/5)
The Hill: Bill To Expand Support For Community Addiction Treatment Passes House
The Family Support Services for Addiction Act, a bill that would establish a $25 million fund to support organizations specializing in addiction treatment and support for family members of those suffering from addiction, is heading to the Senate after passing the House last week. (Bowden, 10/4)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: U.S. House Condemns Unnecessary Medical Procedures For Federal Detainees
House Democrats on Friday passed a resolution condemning unwanted and unnecessary medical procedures performed on federal detainees, a direct response to a whistleblower’s complaint against a South Georgia immigration detention center. (Mitchell and Redmon, 10/2)
