Kamala Harris claims the Barrett hearings are putting lives at risk, will participate remotely

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Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Sunday slammed Senate Republicans for "endangering" people's lives by moving forward with confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett after multiple senators have tested positive for the coronavirus. 

"By moving forward with Supreme Court confirmation hearings tomorrow--less than 2 weeks after members tested positive--Chairman Graham and Senate Republicans are endangering the lives of not just members and our staff, but the hardworking people who keep the Senate complete running," Harris tweeted Sunday. 

President Donald Trump formally introduced Barrett as the Supreme Court nominee at a Rose Garden ceremony on Sept. 26. Multiple attendees of the event, including the president and Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have tested positive for COVID. 

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And last week, a spokeswoman for the House Administration Committee told Roll Call that some 123 Capitol Hill workers have either tested or are presumed positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. 

A spokesperson for Harris said she will participate in this week's hearings remotely from her Senate office in the Hart building.

Harris' spokesperson said Harris joined Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Cory Booker of New Jersey in "urging Chairman Graham to put testing procedures in place" but "that request was ignored." 

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Appearing on Sunday Morning Features with Maria Bartiromo, Graham addressed his Democratic colleagues saying if they don't want to come to the Committee hearing, they can interview Barrett virtually. 

"The COVID threat is real. I take it seriously," Graham said. "The hearing room has been set up by the Architect of the Capitol in conjunction with the Physician for the House and the Senate to make sure it's CDC compliant." 

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He added: "Anybody that has a concern about showing up can virtually interview Judge Barrett. She will be there, I will be there."