Will Democrats Continue To Attack Judge Barrett’s Religion?

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats To Judge Barrett In 2017: ‘The Dogma Lives Loudly Within You,’ ‘You Would Be A Catholic Judge’

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): “Why is it that so many of us on this side have this very uncomfortable feeling that, you know, dogma and law are two different things? And I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma. The law is totally different. And I think in your case, Professor, when you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.” (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, 9/06/2017)

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): “Do you consider yourself an orthodox Catholic?” (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, 9/06/2017)

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO (D-HI): “So in spite of the fact that you had written in an earlier article that Catholic judges -- and you would be a Catholic judge -- you would not recuse yourself from death penalty cases? … Ms. Barrett, I think your article is very plain in your perspective about the role of religion for judges, and particularly with regard to Catholic judges.” (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, 9/06/2017)

Last Week, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats Again Brought Up Judge Barrett’s Religious Beliefs

“But asked if her religious views should be off-limits if Barrett comes before the committee again, Sen. Mazie Hirono said: ‘No.’” (“Democrats Weigh How To Handle Trump's Potential Supreme Court Pick After Past Flap Over Barrett's Faith,” CNN, 9/23/2020)

• SEN. MAZIE HIRONO (D-HI): “Look, it wasn't her religious views – it’s anybody's views that they bring to their decision making… So they keep telling us that none of the things they wrote or said yesterday should infringe on their decision, but how can we be assured that they can be objective? ... Why should we say you get a lifetime appointment so that you can reflect your ideological agenda in your decision making?” (“Democrats Weigh How To Handle Trump's Potential Supreme Court Pick After Past Flap Over Barrett's Faith,” CNN, 9/23/2020)

FLASHBACK: ‘We Do Not Have Religious Tests For Office In The United States Of America, Period’

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “President Trump has done a terrific job of nominating judges who are already helping to restore the courts to their intended function in our system of government. … Amy Barrett is a professor of law at one of our nation’s premier law schools. Notre Dame happens to be a Catholic university. Amy Barrett happens to be a nominee who is Catholic--and who speaks freely and openly about her faith and its importance to her. For some on the Left, that seems to be a disqualifying factor for her nomination. I would remind colleagues that we do not have religious tests for office in this country.” (Sen. McConnell, Floor Remarks, 10/26/2017)

U.S. CONSTITUTION: “…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” (U.S. Constitution, Article 6)

• PROFESSOR AMY CONEY BARRETT: “Senator, I see no conflict between having a sincerely held faith and duties as a judge. In fact, we have many judges, both state and federal, across the country who have sincerely held religious views and still impartially and honestly discharge their obligations as a judge. And were I confirmed as a judge, I would decide cases according to rule of law, beginning to end, and in the rare circumstance that might ever arise -- I can't imagine one sitting here now -- where I felt that I had some conscientious objection to the law, I would recuse.” (Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senate, 9/6/2017)

SEN. TODD YOUNG (R-IN): Unfortunately, some of my colleagues on the left have made an issue of Professor Barrett's Catholic faith. Echoing what Leader McConnell has said, we do not have religious tests for office in the United States of America, period. I applaud all of those who have spoken up as the Senate weighs Professor Barrett's confirmation. That includes Notre Dame president, Rev. John Jenkins. He expressed deep concern at the questioning of Professor Barrett's faith. Following Professor Barrett's hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Reverend Jenkins wrote: ‘It is chilling to hear from the United States Senator that this might now disqualify someone from service as a federal judge.’ The president of Princeton University has also asked the Senate to avoid a religious test in judicial appointments. In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, President Eisgruber wrote that Professor Barrett and all nominees ‘should be evaluated on the basis of their professional ability and jurisprudential philosophy, not their religion.'' He wrote: ‘Every Senator and every American should cherish and safeguard vigorously the freedom guaranteed by the inspiring principle set forth in Article VI of the United States Constitution.’” (Sen. Young, Congressional Record, S.6906, 10/31/2017)