By Yvonne Wingett Sanchez | Arizona Republic
So far, none of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominations have hinged on the vote of either Sen. Kyrsten Sinema or Sen. Martha McSally.
But with Trump’s nomination of U.S. Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court, Sinema, D-Ariz., and McSally, R-Ariz., will face immense pressure from their party leaders to vote along partisan lines.
Along with their votes during Trump’s impeachment trial, Sinema’s and McSally’s votes on Barrett will be the most consequential of their nearly two years in the Senate.
Trump and GOP senators want Barrett confirmed quickly to deliver a 6-3 conservative majority on the court by Election Day. Democrats want to hold off on filling the vacancy until after voters decide the presidential race, and some have urged expanding the court to include more justices if the Republican-controlled Senate rapidly confirms Barrett.
Barrett began meeting with senators Tuesday as part of her accelerated confirmation process.