Harris slams 'reckless' in-person Barrett hearing
The risk of COVID-19 hung over Monday's proceedings, with the Senate hearing room including the judge's children and at least one lawmaker who recently tested positive for the disease.
Republican President Donald Trump formally nominated Barrett at a packed Sept. 26 White House ceremony. Days later, he and a spate of advisers tested positive for the respiratory disease that has killed more than 214,000 people in the United States.
Republican Senator Mike Lee, one of two Senate Judiciary Committee members to test positive in recent weeks, attended the hearing in person on Monday.
Harris, who spoke via video linkup, said the panel had been reckless as Republicans strove to confirm Barrett before the election.
"This committee has ignored common sense requests to keep people safe - including not requiring testing for all members - despite a coronavirus outbreak among senators of this very committee," she said.
Democrats and many public health experts have assailed Trump for his handling of a pandemic that has killed more people in the United States than any other country.
