CWA Letter to Daschle: “Pryor’s Catholic Faith Seems to Trouble Democrat Senators”     7/30/2003

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Concerned Women for America President Sandy Rios called on Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) to provide assurance that Catholic judicial nominee Bill Pryor will be treated fairly and dispassionately when the Senate votes this week, in a letter faxed to his Capitol Hill office this morning.

“The grilling of Alabama’s Attorney General Bill Pryor before the Judiciary Committee raises questions that transcend a single confirmation debate.

“Despite the evidence, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is opposing Mr. Pryor’s confirmation. We recognize that Sen. Schumer has a right to oppose this or any nomination for the reason of his choice. But we wonder what that reason can be. It certainly cannot be the pro-life views of Mr. Pryor, because Sen. Schumer has said that he applies no ‘litmus test,’ and that he has voted for other pro-life nominees. In addition, Mr. Pryor answered Sen. Schumer’s specific concerns with actual examples.”

“So it must be something else.

“And as we review Sen. Schumer’s comments, the troubling thought arises that it might be Mr. Pryor’s ‘deeply held’ Roman Catholic faith.

“‘We have to be concerned,’ Sen. Schumer tells us, ‘when it comes to separation of church and state’ over Mr. Pryor’s nomination. That same code phrase was used more than 40 years ago about President Kennedy. But it rings just as hollow when it is applied to Mr. Pryor, who grew up, in that place, as a member of a small religious minority that suffered discrimination.

“Sen. Schumer appeared extremely agitated to confront, in Mr. Pryor, a person who is unapologetic about his beliefs, yet completely responsible in his public role.

“You know Sen. Schumer. What assurance can you offer that a believing Catholic who comes before him, holding faithfully to the teachings of his church, will be treated fairly and dispassionately?

“This is a serious question, Sen. Daschle, that thoughtful Americans of faith are asking.”

For the complete text of the letter, click here

For Information Contact:
Demi Bardsley
(202) 488-7000, ext. 1020
media.cwfa.org

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