Senate GOP pushing Barrett ahead past Democrats’ blockade

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has opened a rare weekend session as Republicans race to put Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court. Their goal is to cement a conservative majority before Election Day despite Democratic efforts to stall President Donald Trump’s nominee. Democrats are planning time-consuming procedural hurdles, but the party has no realistic chance of stopping Barrett’s advance in the Republican-controlled chamber. The federal appeals court judge is expected to be