Amy Coney Barrett addressed senators at her Supreme Court confirmation hearing, saying she is humbled by the profound responsibility of being nominated to fill the vacancy left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Barrett addressed a sparsely populated room Monday as some senators on the Judiciary Committee chose to attend virtually as the Capitol manages a COVID-19 outbreak.

Barrett took off her mask to speak but kept it on for the hours of opening statements from the committee during the day.

She will be questioned by senators though her nomination is largely expected to pass.

Democrats say they are concerned she will overturn the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. They say GOP lawmakers are rushing the nomination through to get her on the bench before Election Day, Nov. 3.

Barring a dramatic development, Republicans appear to have the votes to confirm the 48-year-old conservative appellate judge to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court. 

The hearing is like no other with voting underway in many states and the country in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic.

Two Republican senators on the panel have tested positive for the virus.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)

Â