I will not prejudge the issues, end quote. And when asked by senator blumenthal whether he believes a woman should be punished for having an abortion, as the president said during the campaign, senator sessions could have given a simple no answer, but he did not. He refused to rule out punishment for women. Instead, he merely noted that while the Supreme Court had upheld the right to an abortion, that right had been limited by various state and federal statutes. Quote, many of which have been upheld as constitutional, end quote. And noted that his role as attorney general would be to faithfully enforce all laws. He clearly left open the possibility that he would enforce laws that punish women. The final issue id like to touch on, mr. Chairman, is Civil Liberties. Ever since 9 11, we have had an intense struggle between Civil Liberties and National Security. I think people know i believe in Strong National security, but i also believe we must never sacrifice our values or fundamental Co
and he s ever been as qualified and ever been as decent and honorable as harriet kohler and loretta lynch. thank you for the seven minutes you took. go ahead, senator durbin. thank you, mr. chairman. let me say at the outset this exercise, this responsibility in the senate judiciary committee is one which i perhaps didn t anticipate when i ran for the senate but so often we are called on to judge other people to stand in judgment of people who are seeking positions as judges, u.s. attorneys, u.s. marshals, even cabinet members. and it really puts to a test each one of us in terms of trying to be fair and be honest and to anticipate what will happen if we entrust that person with a special responsibility. it s complicated even more when