House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was positive about Covid-19 after appearing alongside President Joe Biden, Chuck Sumer and other senior officials when a bill was signed. Ms Pelosi’s diagnosis means that three of the top 10 people in the presidency line are currently known to be infected with the virus. The speaker’s group says it is asymptomatic at the moment. Meanwhile, Biden’s top candidate for the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, is expected to be confirmed today by a vote in the Senate. With the support of three Republican senators – Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney – she is also expected to have the support of all 50 Democrats, becoming the court’s first black female judge. The vote comes after a seven-week nomination process that has been strongly criticized by Republicans, who have focused on her alleged history of leniency against child sex offenders. This criticism in turn was widely rejected as a distortion of her previous decisions.

Basic points

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Harris arrives at the KBJ to vote

Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived in the US Capitol for a confirmation vote on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s candidacy for the Supreme Court. Second Mr. Doug Emhoff is sitting in the gallery. Crowds of people are in line for this historic moment. Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:51 1649353243

The White House is planning to celebrate Judge Jackson

Politico’s White House correspondent Eugene Daniels reports that the White House has begun sending out invitations to an event Friday afternoon to celebrate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation in the Supreme Court. He says President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Judge Jackson are expected to attend. Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:40 1649352943

Live – Senate Votes on Ketanji Brown Jackson Ratification in Supreme Court

Watch live as the Senate votes on the ratification of Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Supreme Court Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:35 1649352343

Parliament approves ban on Russian energy imports

By a vote of 413-9, the House of Representatives passed legislation banning imports of Russian oil, gas and other energy products into the United States. The Senate unanimously approved the bill 100-0 earlier today. He is now heading to the office of President Joe Biden and intends to sign it. The nine negative votes were: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Matt Gaetz, Dan Bishop, Andy Biggs, Chip Roy, Paul Gosar, Ilhan Omar and Cori Bush. Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:25 1649352043

Voices: I’m a Conservative – but I’m disgusted by the recent behavior of some Republicans

“From Ketanji Brown Jackson to Ukraine, some members of the GOP have behaved in a completely disgusting way,” writes Jay Caruso. Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:20 1649351787

Congress approves bill to suspend trade relations with Russia and Belarus

By a vote of 420-3, Parliament is passing legislation suspending permanent normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The Senate unanimously approved the bill 100-0 earlier today and is now heading to the office of President Joe Biden, who plans to sign it. The three negative votes in Parliament were: Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga), Thomas Massie (R-Ky) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla). Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:16 1649351323

Schumer hails “happy day” as Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation set

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Sumer is already celebrating the ratification of Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Supreme Court. He wrote on Twitter: “Today is a happy day for America! “The Senate is going to confirm the historic candidacy of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the US Supreme Court.” “She will become the first black woman and the first former public defender to hold the title of Supreme Court.” Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:08 1649351143

Harris to chair Senate to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson

Statement by Herbie Ziskend, Senior Communications Officer, Vice President: The Vice President will travel to the US Capitol this afternoon as the United States Senate prepares to make history by voting for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation in the United States Supreme Court. The Vice President believes Judge Jackson will be an outstanding Supreme Court Justice and is looking forward to chairing the Senate to mark this milestone. Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:05 1649350843

The UN is voting in favor of suspending Russia from the Human Rights Council

The UN General Assembly voted to suspend Russia’s participation in the Human Rights Council on Thursday – by 93 votes to 24, with 58 abstentions. “War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights,” Ukraine’s foreign minister said after the vote. “I thank all the Member States that … chose the right side of the story.” Ahead of the vote, Ukraine urged UN members to expel Russia from the top human rights body. Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN said Russia had committed “horrific human rights abuses and violations that would amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 18:00 1649350423

Senate nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for confirmation vote

The Senate promoted the historic candidacy of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court in a affirmative vote. New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker chaired the Senate during this vote. Three Republicans – Senators Collins, Murkowski and Romney – united with all Democrats by voting Yes, 53-47. Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 17:53