Three things for October 22
1. FBI announces discovery of foreign election interference
Yesterday evening, FBI officials held a press conference to announce discoveries regarding interferences in the 2020 Presidential election.
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe spoke during the conference, stating the U.S. intelligence community had discovered meddling in the election, likely caused by Russian and Iranian operatives.
The announcement followed news of emails being sent to voters in Florida and Alaska, threatening recipients to vote for incumbent President Trump, “or else”.
Ratcliffe reassured voters that votes cast would be counted, regardless of attempts at interference.
“Even if [these] adversaries pursue further attempts to intimidate or attempt to undermine voter confidence, know that our election systems are resilient and you can be confident that your votes are secure,” Ratcliffe said.
2. Senate panel advances Barrett, Democrats boycott
This morning, Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans advanced Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate. Democratic senators refused to attend, in protest of the GOP’s rush to install Trump’s nominee.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee hold a news conference after boycotting the vote by the Republican-led panel to advance the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to sit on the Supreme Court, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
All 12 Republicans on the panel voted in favor of Barrett. The Democrats displayed posters at their desks in boycott.
According to AP News, the Senate has never confirmed a Supreme Court nominee so close to a presidential election.
With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, President Trump’s pick is almost certain to be confirmed. According to AP News, Democrats have been trying unsuccessfully to stall the process until after the Nov. 3 election, so the winner of the presidency could name the new nominee.
Senators plan to hold a rare weekend session ahead of the final confirmation vote expected on Monday.
3. Final presidential debate tonight
Tonight will see the final debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden before Election Day on Nov. 3.
The debate will be moderated by Kristen Welker of NBC News, at Belmont University in Nashville. Topics will include fighting COVID-19, American families, race in America, climate change, national security and leadership, according to CBS News.
Days before the final debate, the commission announced that each of the candidates will be muted during their opponent’s two minutes of speaking time prior to each segment.
The debate will begin at 9 p.m. ET, and will be available for live streaming here.
