WASHINGTON — When Amy Coney Barrett emerged as President Trump’s likely nominee to the Supreme Court, a video clip of a tense exchange between her and Senator Dianne Feinstein of California circulated widely in conservative media.
“You are controversial. Let’s start with that,” said Feinstein, a Democrat, during Barrett’s 2017 confirmation hearing for the seat she now holds on the US Court of Appeals in Chicago. Then, Feinstein focused in on Barrett’s faith, questioning whether it could influence her rulings.
Barrett, 48, a former Notre Dame law professor, called herself a devout Roman Catholic but contended she could separate her religious beliefs from her legal decisions. Yet, Feinstein said she and other Democrats felt “uncomfortable.”
“I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma,” said Feinstein, who is Jewish. “In your case, professor, when you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.”
That sort of pointed questioning, which some fear will resume as Barrett is vetted by the Senate judiciary committee, has been decried by congressional Republicans as the kind of antireligious bias and anti-Catholic bigotry that they believe is tearing at the fabric of American society. But, if it is tearing at the fabric, it certainly hasn’t held back the rise of Catholic judges. If Barrett is confirmed after Senate hearings set to begin Monday, Catholics would hold a 6-3 majority on the nation’s high court — just the second time that’s ever happened — and it would be an extremely conservative majority.
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