A Charlotte-area mother urged members of the U.S. Senate to not confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the nation’s highest bench Thursday, saying she is concerned what Barrett could mean for the future of healthcare in the United States.

Stacy Staggs, who serves as the director of community outreach for Little Lobbyists, told lawmakers about her twin daughters, who were born at 28 weeks and have complex medical needs.

Staggs said that without protections through the Affordable Care Act, her daughters would be uninsurable because they have already hit their lifetime caps for benefits with combined claims topping $4 million.

“A vote for Judge Barrett is a vote to take away healthcare. And a vote for Judge Barrett is a vote to strike down the law that saved the lives of my daughters,” she said.

Staggs was part of a panel of witnesses invited by the Democrats to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the fourth day of Barrett’s confirmation hearing.

Judge Barrett, who criticized a previous Supreme Court ruling upholding Obamacare in a past writing, told lawmakers earlier this week she is “not hostile” to the healthcare law.

Little Lobbyists is a non-profit that advocates on behalf of children with disabilities and other medical needs.



Republicans Move Ahead with Nomination

Over the objection of Democrats, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee moved forward with Judge Barrett’s nomination Thursday, setting up a key vote for next week.

The committee is scheduled to vote on Barrett’s nomination on Thursday, Oct. 22. That could tee up a vote in the full Senate just days before the election.

Democrats labeled the move a sham and power grab, noting how millions of people across the country are already voting in this year’s presidential election.

“It breaches everything that we have held dear and the processes that we have moved forward with,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., about the push to move forward with the nominee.

But Republicans defended their decision to move ahead, touting Judge Barrett’s qualifications and arguing President Donald Trump has the power to nominate a replacement for late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In a social media video, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, said he is looking forward to voting to confirm Judge Barrett.

“She demonstrated incredible preparation and poise and I think she’s going to make a great justice. That’s why she’s well qualified by the American Bar Association,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that Republicans have the votes to confirm Barrett on the Senate floor.