Wendy Vitter promises to leave pro-life, religious stances aside if confirmed as federal judge
Vitter, who was tapped in January by President
"I am going to look at every matter, every case, based on the facts brought before me and the law," Vitter told members of the
Vitter, whose husband
The questionnaire asks federal judicial nominees to disclose extensive details about their personal finances, education and past public remarks, including listing every public speech they've given and article they've published.
Vitter, who serves as general counsel to the Catholic
Vitter, a longtime anti-abortion activist and former
She said she made extensive note of her political activity in her submission to the committee, including highlighting the "Proudly Pro-Life Award" she received in 2017 from the New
Vitter was grilled about her participation on the 2013 panel discussion but insisted she was "there just to facilitate a discussion." She said she had never heard -- and does not endorse -- some of the controversial and widely debunked opinions expressed during that panel. She tried to distance herself from a brochure she mentioned there that linked birth control pills to cancer, adultery and domestic violence.
"I was not aware what those speakers were going to speak about beforehand," she said.
Vitter dodged questions about which
"Do you stand by that statement?" Sen.
"My pro-life stance has been made very clear," she said.
Vitter told the committee she had been "humbled and awed" by her nomination to the lifetime position.
"My integrity means more than anything else to me," she said, "and if I say that I will take a conscious effort and put aside my personal views, my religious views, my political views, and judge a matter on the facts presented to me and the law, that's what I will do."
Vitter's responses were blasted by People For the
"If anything, she gave the
Both of
"You have to have a stellar resumé to make it through the committee, but you must also have a good professional reputation and solid character to put you at the top of the list," Cassidy said. "It is the crème de la crème, if you will."
It's unclear when the
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