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Judge Amy Coney Barrett moved one step closer to a seat on the Supreme Court on Thursday as the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced her nomination with solely Republican support after Democrats boycotted the vote in protest of what they viewed as an illegitimate confirmation process. The vote was 12 to 0, with no Democrats present to officially register their objections. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is expected to take procedural steps Friday to bring her confirmation to the floor, with Barrett being confirmed by Monday evening, putting her in position to hear key cases involving potential election disputes and health care. (Min Kim and Firozi, 10/22)

“Big day for America,” Trump tweeted after the committee vote. Barrett, 48, would lock a 6-3 conservative court majority for the foreseeable future. That could open a new era of rulings on abortion access, gay marriage and even the results of this year’s presidential election. (Mascaro and Jalonick, 10/22)

Senate Democrats boycotted Thursday's vote to advance the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court — and poster-size photos of Affordable Care Act (ACA) recipients took their place. To supporters of the ACA, the faces represent what is at stake: individuals who could lose health care if the Obama-era law is struck down. (Grantham-Philips, 10/22)

As the Senate prepares to vote on Amy Coney Barrett’s appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, public attention has focused on her Catholic faith and, in particular, her stance on abortion rights. Some critics, citing Barrett’s past rulings on abortion, have questioned her views on Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that established a woman’s right to abortion. ... In practice, Catholics’ views on abortion are not always aligned with the guidance of their church. (Fahmy, 10/20)

Senate Republicans are growing increasingly frustrated with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as he makes what they see as unacceptable compromises in his quest for a stimulus deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, multiple people familiar with the talks said Thursday. Mnuchin has committed to a top-line figure of around $1.9 trillion, much too high for many Senate Republicans to swallow. That includes at least $300 billion for state and local aid, also a non-starter for many in the GOP. (Werner and Stein, 10/22)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Thursday there were "no concerns" about his health, after bandages and what appeared to be bruises on his hands drew widespread attention this week. McConnell, 78, batted down questions from reporters in the Capitol about if he had health concerns, which would come as he is running for a seventh term. (Carney, 10/22)