The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
As senators prepared for Barrett’s confirmation hearings, Republicans recounted Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) 2017 questioning of how Barrett’s Catholic faith might influence her decisions when she was nominated to an appeals court.
During the first day of hearings, Republicans repeatedly warned their Democratic colleagues against questioning Barrett’s faith.
As he left for a campaign event on Monday, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who is Catholic, was asked how Senate Democrats should handle questions about Barrett’s faith.
“Faith should not be considered,” Biden said, adding, “I don’ think there’s any questions about her faith.”
Instead, the former vice president pointed to upcoming arguments on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Nov. 10. He said Democrats and voters should focus on the potential ramifications of confirming Barrett before so she can be on the court to rule on that case.
“Everyone knows in 28 days, 20 million Americans may lose their healthcare. This nominee says she wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. The president wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. Let’s keep our eyes on the ball,” Biden said.
While Barrett has been critical of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the healthcare law, she has not said how she would vote on the law.
Watch the video below:
New: Joe Biden says there should be NO questions about Amy Coney Barrett’s faith this week during hearings. @cbsnews pic.twitter.com/3KeIqbJnZS
— Bo Erickson Reuters (@BoKnowsNews) October 12, 2020
Democrats have raised concerns about Barrett’s stance on the healthcare law. They have pointed to Barrett’s 2017 criticism of the Supreme Court’s decision that upheld the ACA.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned that “a vote by any Senator for Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act and eliminate protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.”