Key Background
Wednesday is the third day in Barrett’s confirmation hearings, after President Donald Trump nominated her to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The hearings over the past three days have largely followed thesame theme—Democrats pressing Barrett on how she would rule on challenges toabortion rights and the Affordable Care Act, questions Barrett for the most part has declined to answer, with Republicans asking softer questions meant to back up Barrett’s judicial qualifications.
Tangent
The U.S. racial reckoning following the death of George Floyd in May led to protests in cities across the United States. Recently, some Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have called for new laws tocrack down on protests that are viewed as “disorderly.” Critics have called those proposals unconstitutional, meaning there could be court challenges if antiprotesting laws are passed.
Surprising Fact
The five freedoms of the First Amendment are usually among the first lessons taught in civics classes in the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends those applying for U.S. citizenship to study the five freedoms in order to pass a citizenship test for naturalization.