Pro-Life Senator to Sotomayor: 'I Apologize'
Patricia Murphy
Capitol Hill Bureau Chief
Posted:
07/15/09
By Day 3 of Sonia Sotomayor's nomination hearings, pro-life protesters had interrupted the proceedings three times, jumping to their feet and yelling at Sotomayor and senators until the Capitol Police restrained and removed them, still screaming, from the committee room.
Wednesday, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), himself a staunch pro-life advocate, apologized to Sotomayor for the outbursts, telling her he admired her composure and explaining, "Anybody who values life like I do, and is pro-life, recognizes that the way you change minds is not you yell at people. It's you love them and care about their concerns and bring them to a level of understanding, not condemnation."
Coburn then questioned the judge repeatedly about when abortion should be illegal, although the two never seemed to reach a level of understanding. Video of the apology is below.
Wednesday, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), himself a staunch pro-life advocate, apologized to Sotomayor for the outbursts, telling her he admired her composure and explaining, "Anybody who values life like I do, and is pro-life, recognizes that the way you change minds is not you yell at people. It's you love them and care about their concerns and bring them to a level of understanding, not condemnation."
Coburn then questioned the judge repeatedly about when abortion should be illegal, although the two never seemed to reach a level of understanding. Video of the apology is below.