During Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) grilled President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee over whether she has ever “committed assault of a sexual nature” or “made unwanted requests for sexual favors”.
“To endure the fitness of nominees for lifetime appointment to the federal bench or to any of the other positions for any of the committees for which they appear, I ask each nominee these two questions, and I will ask them of you,” Senator Hirono told Judge Barrett.
“Since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature?” Senator Hirono asked Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
“No, senator,” Judge Barrett responded.
“Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct,” Hirono then wondered.
“No, senator,” President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee replied. Video Below
Senator Mazie Hirono’s exchange with Judge Amy Coney Barrett:
Sen. Mazie Hirono asks ACB "since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature?" pic.twitter.com/6JgLkoIXIF
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 13, 2020
Senator Mazie Hirono went on to scold Judge Amy Coney Barrett for using the term “sexual preference”, noting that the term is “offensive and outdated” in reference to the LGBTQ community.
Judge Barrett humbly apologized for using the term “sexual preference”, saying, “I certainly didn’t mean and would never mean to use a term that would cause any offense in the LGBT community. If I did, I greatly apologize for that.”
Following remarks from Sen. @maziehirono, Judge Amy Coney Barrett says: "I certainly didn't mean and would never mean to use a term that would cause any offense in the LGBTQ community. So if I did, I greatly apologize for that."
Full video: https://t.co/WAojeywoZW#SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/PP5FFDWMRs
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 13, 2020
(Related: Sen. Hirono Says Court Packing Is ‘Long Overdue’ After Biden Refuses To Disclose His Stance)
