Pence not expected to preside over Barrett confirmation vote
Vice President Mike Pence is not expected to preside over Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate vote this evening unless his vote is needed, multiple sources tell ABC News.
Barrett has the GOP votes to be confirmed so it’s unlikely that Pence’s tie-breaking vote will be needed.
According to his schedule, Pence will be back in town from a Minnesota campaign stop during the time of the vote, which is expected at 7 p.m.
Shortly after White House communications director Alyssa Farrah said that Pence would be presiding over the Senate vote, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters during a gaggle that Pence showing up was "in flux." Over the weekend, Pence "as vice president, I am president of the Senate. And I'm going to be in that chair cause I would not miss that vote for the world!"
It’s unclear if Pence plans to attend a likely White House South Lawn this evening to celebrate Barrett's confirmation and swearing-in.
The change comes as five people in Pence’s orbit have tested positive for the coronavirus, though Pence was cleared by doctors to continue to travel as “essential personnel,” according to his office.
-ABC News’ Katherine Faulders and John Santucci