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Sen. Sasse Asks Judicial Nominee If He Knows the 'Point' of His Being Interrogated About His Faith
Townhall.com ^ | June 6, 2019 | Cortney O'Brien

Posted on 06/06/2019 9:18:00 AM PDT by jazusamo

For some reason, Democrats love to ask President Trump's judicial nominees about their religious backgrounds. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) was worried that U.S. district judge Peter Phipps, nominated to serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, would be no exception. So, he launched a preemptive strike at Wednesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and asked Phipps about his membership in the Knights of Columbus (KoC), a Catholic fraternal organization, and whether it has anything to do with his nomination. After all, Democrats have obsessed over the group in recent years.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) admitted to being puzzled such line of questioning.

Video: Are you now or have you ever been involved in the organization of a fish fry?

“Judge, did you get questions for the record about being a member of the Knights of Columbus?” Sasse asked . “This is a new tradition around here evidently, trying to figure out if people are members of religious organizations.”

"Yes, associated with my district court nomination," Phipps acknowledged. He said he does "not" know why.

Sasse described the Knights of Columbus as a harmless organization that organizes "community service...fish fries, and pool parties," leading him to pose a more humorous inquiry.

"Are you now or have you ever been involved in the organization of a fish fry?”

The witness laughed. Yet, Democrats' religious litmus tests are far from funny. Two years ago, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) asked Trump's 7th Circuit Court of Appeals nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, quite pointedly, "Are you an orthodox Catholic?" Having read some of Barrett's writings on abortion and the death penalty, Feinstein shared her concerns.

"The dogma lives loudly within you," the senator said.

WATCH: Sen. Feinstein to appeals court nominee Amy Barrett, @NotreDame law prof/ mother of 7: "The dogma lives loudly within you."

Feinstein also warned then-Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch during his confirmation hearings that his faith cannot get in the way of "super precedent" Roe v. Wade. Gorsuch repeatedly explained to her that the Constitution, not his personal opinions, is his guide in court.

Barrett was eventually confirmed, as was Gorsuch.

A few of the Democrats who heard Sasse's questions were offended by his accusations.

“To be clear, no senator on the Democratic side has ever suggested that a member of any organization is per se unfit for the bench, only those who cannot be fair and impartial,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

But, National Review called her bluff . Just a few months back, Hirono told judicial nominee Brian Buescher she was worried about his relationship with KoC.

"The Knights of Columbus has taken a number of extreme positions," Hirono said before asking the nominee to promise to "end" his membership with this organization "to avoid any appearance of bias."

Others members on the Judiciary panel on Wednesday questioned Phipps's supposed lack of experience, but by most observers he seems primed for committee approval.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Nebraska
KEYWORDS: 116th; 3rdcircuitcourt; anticatholicbigotry; bensasse; democrats; feinstein; hirono; knightsofcolumbus; koc; nebraska; peterphipps; religioustest; sasse; senatejudiciarycom; trumpjudiciry; trumpnominee
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1 posted on 06/06/2019 9:18:00 AM PDT by jazusamo
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To: jazusamo

Would it be appropriate for House members to ask MoFo Tlaib about her “faith”?


2 posted on 06/06/2019 9:20:10 AM PDT by treetopsandroofs
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To: jazusamo

Communism Objects To Faith.

Next Question.


3 posted on 06/06/2019 9:23:31 AM PDT by EasySt (Say not this is the truth, but so it seems to me to be, as I see this thing I think I see #KAG)
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To: jazusamo

No such thing.

“super precedent”


4 posted on 06/06/2019 9:26:46 AM PDT by 2banana (My common ground with islamic terrorists - they want to die for allah and we want to kill them.)
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To: jazusamo

I remember a couple of years ago when Bernie Sanders grilled a nominee to some administrative position over his Christianity and said he could never vote to confirm a person with those beliefs.


5 posted on 06/06/2019 9:27:32 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: circlecity

Coming from the socialist hypocrite he is it doesn’t surprise me.


6 posted on 06/06/2019 9:29:59 AM PDT by jazusamo (Have You Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: jazusamo; All
"The Knights of Columbus has taken a number of extreme positions," Hirono said before asking the nominee to promise to "end" his membership with this organization "to avoid any appearance of bias."

This is OF COURSE a religious test. If this were asked of a Muslim nominee who happened to be associated with a group advocating Sharia law, the Media would be outraged night & day, day & night. Just look at what happened to Judge Jeanine with her comments about Rep Omar & whether she was an adherent to Sharia law.

7 posted on 06/06/2019 9:30:54 AM PDT by newzjunkey (Vote Giant Meteor in 2020)
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To: circlecity
If you want to see Bernie Sanders literally attack a nominee over his Christian faith, and call Christianity "bigoted and hateful" just go here:

https://www.budget.senate.gov/nomination-hearing-for-deputy-director_of-white-house-budget-office

8 posted on 06/06/2019 9:33:07 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: jazusamo
"Are you an orthodox Catholic?" Having read some of Barrett's writings on abortion and the death penalty, Feinstein shared her concerns. "The dogma lives loudly within you," the senator said.

This interrogation is analogous to what the Sanhedrin/Pharisees did to Christ.

9 posted on 06/06/2019 9:33:15 AM PDT by bkopto
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To: jazusamo
Regarding DiFi's question I would respond:

"Senator, I'm aware of how important baby killing is to you, but there is no legal concept termed a "super precedent"."

10 posted on 06/06/2019 9:34:06 AM PDT by G Larry (There is no great virtue in bargaining with the Devil)
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To: G Larry

That would be most appropriate.


11 posted on 06/06/2019 9:40:30 AM PDT by jazusamo (Have You Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: 2banana

In Diane’s world, does the Bible qualify as a super precedent?


12 posted on 06/06/2019 9:43:01 AM PDT by ptsal
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MAGA!

Support Free Republic, Folks! Donate Today!

Please bump the Freepathon or click above to donate or become a monthly donor!

13 posted on 06/06/2019 9:46:25 AM PDT by jazusamo (Have You Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: jazusamo

Democrats are vile scum and pure evil.


14 posted on 06/06/2019 9:50:39 AM PDT by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
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To: bkopto

And at the Judgement Seat of Christ, that same tactic will be turned around on every rebel throughout history headed for the Lake of Fire and they will have zero recourse or ability to answer.


15 posted on 06/06/2019 9:50:46 AM PDT by Roman_War_Criminal (Like Enoch, Noah, & Lot, the True Church will soon be removed & then destruction comes forth.)
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To: jazusamo
"Are you now or have you ever been involved in the organization of a fish fry?

Outstanding!

Knowing how democrats despise being laughed at, I can't believe that they aren't burning cars in the street after that one.

16 posted on 06/06/2019 9:51:48 AM PDT by skimbell
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To: circlecity
If you want to see Bernie Sanders literally attack a nominee over his Christian faith, and call Christianity "bigoted and hateful" just go here:

https://www.budget.senate.gov/nomination-hearing-for-deputy-director_of-white-house-budget-office

Or here

17 posted on 06/06/2019 9:55:16 AM PDT by itsahoot (Welcome to the New USA where Islam is a religion of peace and Christianity is a mental disorder.)
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To: treetopsandroofs

Or DiFi? Can you just imagine anyone being questioned about their Jewish faith?? I guess though I would love to hear DiFi explain where she finds the Right To Abortion in the Torah, or the rest of the Bible or our Constitution.


18 posted on 06/06/2019 10:12:50 AM PDT by originalbuckeye ('In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act'- George Orwell.)
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To: ptsal
In Diane’s world, does the Bible qualify as a super precedent?

No, it qualifies as racism, sexism, homophobia, and hate speech.

19 posted on 06/06/2019 10:15:07 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: jazusamo

did anyone interrogate ilhan omar, occassio, ellison- tlaib and other muslims about their faith before allowing them to hold a government position?


20 posted on 06/06/2019 10:22:03 AM PDT by Bob434
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