Amy Coney Barrett’s hearing kicks off with hypocrisy and healthcare | David Smith

Republicans sought to normalise her rushed nomination while Democrats maintained a laser-like focus on the future of Obamacare

  • Barrett supreme court hearing sets stage for partisan clash

That was rich. Senate Republicans, otherwise known as Donald Trump’s Praetorian Guard, lined up on Monday to pay pious homage to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the separation of powers and the halcyon days of political bipartisanship.

Related: What Amy Coney Barrett's likely confirmatio...

Holy war: Republicans eager to focus Amy Coney Barrett hearings on religion

GOP senators believe painting Democrats as attacking the supreme court nominee’s faith could help save seats in November

When Donald Trump’s latest supreme court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, arrives before the Senate judiciary committee for her confirmation hearings on Monday, Democrats will be out to raise an alarm that Barrett could help strike down the Affordable Care Act in the very first case she hears.

But in the weeks leading up to the hearings, Republicans have been out ...

‘They’re coming for you’: Harris slams Trump and Pence on healthcare – video

One of the most memorable moments of the vice-presidential debate was on healthcare, when Harris issued a stark warning about the Trump administration’s intentions.

Trump is seeking to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, which prevents health companies turning away patients with pre-existing conditions.

'If you have a pre-existing condition, heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, they’re coming for you. If you love someone who has a pre-existing con...

Pence-Harris vice-presidential debate: five key takeaways

Coronavirus was the key theme, but Harris also warned of the threat to Obamacare as both candidates dodged questions

The vice-presidential debate on Wednesday was less openly hostile than the Donald Trump-Joe Biden debacle last week – but provided a further insight into the state of both campaigns ahead of November.

Related: Kamala Harris and Mike Pence clash over coronavirus response in vice-presidential debate

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VP debate 2020: Kamala Harris slams Mike Pence over coronavirus handling – live

  • Harris: ‘Americans have witnessed the greatest failure of any president’
  • The coronavirus pandemic has already affected the staging and format
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2.47am BST

The candidates are addressing climate change.

“With regard to climate change, the climate is changing, but the issue is, what’s the cause and what do we do about it?” Pence said. “...

Democrats on the attack after Trump tax return revelations – live

  • Six key findings from the Trump tax bombshell
  • Analysis: Will the New York Times taxes report sink Donald Trump?
  • $70,000 on hairstyling – Trump’s taxes in numbers
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5.21pm BST

In her MSNBC interview, House speaker Nancy Pelosi also criticized Senate Republicans for moving forward with the supreme court nomination of ...

Trump says overturning Roe v Wade ‘certainly possible’ with Amy Coney Barrett – live

  • Senate minority whip says Democrats can only slow nomination by ‘days’
  • Amy Coney Barrett: what will she mean for women’s rights?
  • Biden hopes for repeat of 2012 as Trump debate nears
  • Recipe for chaos: election threatens to snap US society
  • Robert Reich: Trump Nation has already seceded
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5.29pm BST

Biden spoke briefly then answered a f...

Trump had us thinking mainstream Republicans were moderate. How naive | Emma Brockes

Mitt Romney and his ilk were once critics of the president. But now, when it suits them, they’re backing him again

One unlikely effect of Donald Trump being in office has been a rise in the reputation of more moderate Republicans. In 2012, when Mitt Romney was running for president, he seemed like the incarnation of monied interests – a man who would defend beyond all other principles the right of the American millionaire to be taxed at 13%. He was out of touch, and cynically motivat...

Trump says he will announce supreme court pick ‘Friday or Saturday’ – live

  • Democrats smash fundraising records after Ginsburg’s death
  • Who is Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s likely court pick?
  • US Covid deaths near 200,000
  • Evidence shows mail slowdowns after Trump ally took over
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3.27pm BST

In the wake of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, Democrats are framing the supreme court battle as a fight to protect ...

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: key Republicans under spotlight as fight to replace justice begins – live

  • McConnell vows Senate will push on with Trump’s pick
  • What does Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death mean for the supreme court?
  • Obituary: ‘Formidably clever with a superhuman capacity for work’
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3.08pm BST

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death adds even more weight to November’s elections, with both Democrats and Republicans saying that voters will not only decide the presidency but the lo...