Senators Harris and Hirono Want Catholics out of the Courts

The religious discrimination in the Senate continues! After a bitter Supreme Court confirmation battle to put Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the highest Court, Democratic Senators are doing everything they can to take down other religious, moral individuals. Their latest argument? Practicing Catholics shouldn’t be able to serve in public office.

Brian Buescher, the Trump nominee for the U.S. District Court of Nebraska, requires Senate confirmation, similar to the process Kavanaugh went through this Fall. In their questions to the nominee, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) zeroed in on Buescher’s religious beliefs. They asked questions pertaining to his membership in the Knights of Columbus, a philanthropic men’s organization founded on the doctrine of Catholicism. This organization mirrors the Roman Catholic position on many social issues –like their opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. Sen. Hirono went as far to call the positions taken by Catholics “extreme.”

Sen. Harris used her questions to ask about the nominee’s religious beliefs, such as “Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman’s right to choose when you joined the organization?” and “Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed marriage equality when you joined the organization?” Using this organization to attack members of the Catholic faith who wish to simultaneously serve our country is unacceptable. Both Senators have asked Buescher to either resign from the Catholic organization or to recuse himself from any case with issues that Catholics take a stance on. In other words – they want this nominee to choose between public service and his religion.

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, commented about the incident on Twitter: “Senators Hirono, Booker, and Harris should all be removed from the Judiciary Committee for violating the Constitution – all 3 attacked a Trump nominee for being Catholic. Article 6 prohibits the government from considering religion when deciding a person’s fitness for office.”

These U.S. Senators are violating the Constitution of the United States. “No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” What we have here is a case of religious discrimination, plain and simple. These Senate Democrats, among others, are trying to push religious believers out of government through this process. Their treatment of this Judicial nominee boils down to one concept – they believe Catholics aren’t qualified to serve on the bench.

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