Questioning Barrett, Leahy repeats false claims, religious broadcasters say

By Guy Page

During the second day of hearings to examine the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) repeated false information in his criticism of the judge for having spoken to Christian law students participating in a program of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), according to a statement issued yesterday by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).

In the exchange in question, as seen in this YouTube video (at one minute, seven seconds), Leahy asks Barrett: “Were you aware of the ADF’s decades long effort to recriminalize homosexuality?” Barrett replied, “I am not aware of those efforts, no.”

In response to Leahy’s characterization of ADF’s work, the following statement was issued by Troy Miller, CEO of NRB, the nation’s preeminent association of Christian broadcasters and communicators, of which ADF is a member:

“Sen. Leahy re-iterated false reports that can be traced back to smear campaigns from groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, who label conservative groups and individuals as hateful for holding Biblically-based views on marriage and human sexuality. ADF, like NRB and countless other conservatives, believes that all people are made in the image of God and that everyone is worthy of dignity and respect. Moreover, ADF is a reputable organization that has been working for nearly three decades to preserve the fundamental freedoms of speech and religion for all Americans. It deserves respect, not vilification. Even if we do not agree on issues or understand the other’s point of view, we should be respectful.”

ADF refutes the charge laid by Leahy on its “setting the record straight” website page: “ADF has never supported the passage of laws criminalizing homosexuality.”

ADF does have a history of advocacy law in Vermont. In 2016, it helped the Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare fight for the rights of healthcare providers opposed by conscience to not participate in Act 39, the physician-assisted suicide law.

Read more of Guy Page’s reports. Vermont Daily is sponsored by True North Media.

Image courtesy of Senate.gov

6 thoughts on “Questioning Barrett, Leahy repeats false claims, religious broadcasters say

  1. When I got home a few days ago, my wife was complaining about how stupid Pat sounded bumbling about with nonsensical statements attempting to question the judge. Are we lucky to have him as our senator?

  2. What ” babbling ” Pat Leahy trying to ” stump ” Judge Barrett on his agenda
    prepared rhetoric and lies…….Sure

    It’s bad enough leahy looked and sounded like a old buffoon, they had
    to mention he’s from Vermont…….yup, we must look like fools to the world.

    The good news is, that Mazie Hirono’s questioning made Leahy look like a
    genius……pretty sad !!.

    Judge Amy Coney Barrett spent two days of questioning from bitter Democrats
    and never had one cheat note………… wake up senators, you looked and acted
    like a high school debate team.

    Judge Barrett will be a fresh face & mind to the SCOTUS……………

    • Leahy needs to retire. I could hardly understand a darn word the man said.

      For crying out loud, I really doubt the Founders intended for Congress to become an old age home for the greedy.

    • After Judge Barrett is on SCOTUS, I hope she will be Chief Justice in a few years.

      During the hearings, she was not just the smartest, but the most judicious/wisest person in the room.

      The US people should rejoice having a person of such quality on the Supreme Court.

  3. Someone likely fed Leahy the question so he would have something to ask.
    He likely would never have come up with that all by himself.

    Too bad Leahy ended up looking stupid.
    Too bad for Vermonters as well.

    Most Dem/Prog questioners were greatly impressed by Judge Barrett, who bore the onslaught of inaneness with equanimity and good humor

    Judge Barrett has seven children, two are adopted.
    She has plenty of experience answering stupid questions.

Comments are closed.