Supreme Court functions in the midst of COVID-19 chaos – Roll Call

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. started the Supreme Courts new term Monday with a brief tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose death last month thrust the court into Washingtons central political drama less than a month before the presidential election.

Ahead of two hours of oral arguments, held remotely by telephone because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roberts went through Ginsburgs career in law that culminated with 27 years on the high court. He said her contributions as advocate, jurist and citizen are immeasurable.

The Supreme Court is, at the moment, down to eight justices and not conducting business in person. But the justices moved right into oral arguments after that making it the only branch of government that was not grappling with how to do its work because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Senate postponed hearings and looked to stay away from the Capitol this week because three Republican members are in isolation with the virus and others are quarantining because of exposure. Their absence prompted questions about whether Senate Republicans can move forward with plans to swiftly confirm Trumps nominee to fill Ginsburgs seat, Amy Coney Barrett, a federal appeals court judge.

President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday evening after spending three days in the hospital with coronavirus, and he spent Monday morning tweeting out in all caps a string of reasons why he thinks voters should reelect him. Some related to the Supreme Court and a case the justices will hear next month on the 2010 health care law.

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Supreme Court functions in the midst of COVID-19 chaos - Roll Call