Van Hollen: Barrett “far out of the judicial mainstream…too big a risk”

Van Hollen: Barrett “far out of the judicial mainstream…too big a risk”

September 28th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen took his criticism of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the next level on Monday, telling WBAL Radio he believes Barrett's judicial record and writings put her "far out of the judicial mainstream." Specifically, he cited Barrett's past statements regarding abortion and the Affordable Care Act.

Barrett, a former Notre Dame law professor, currently serves on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, after being appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017. During her confirmation hearing, Barrett's religious faith and related associations were the subject of scrutiny by several Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Dianne Feinstein of California, who stated, "the dogma lives loudly within you, and that's of concern," referring to Barrett's Catholic beliefs.