A Sacred Heart University political analyst says President Donald Trump's nomination for the next Supreme Court justice, federal appellate Judge Amy Coney Barrett, may solidify a conservative majority.

Dr. Gary Rose, who has been a professor and chair of the department of government for 39 years, says since Coney Barrett was mentored by Justice Antonin Scalia, it may indicate she will interpret the original intent of the law.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says that the letter of the law thinking could negatively effect many populations.

He says he's refusing to meet with Barrett prior to the upcoming confirmation hearings.

The next steps involve Coney Barrett meeting with senators, and after that, confirmation hearings will be held with the Senate Judiciary Committee.

From there, confirming Coney Barrett will head to the Senate floor. If she gets 51 votes, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will decide how quickly he wants to move forward.

Rose says Trump nominating a devout Catholic could be a strategic political move to energize his base, especially in swing states, before people head to the polls.

He says he believes the proximity of the election is irrelevant, and that the president has a constitutional duty to nominate a Supreme Court justice.

Blumenthal says the American people deserve a voice in this choice.

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Lindsey Graham, says that the confirmation hearings will begin Oct. 12.