Throughout Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings, Republican senators have been nothing but cordial, professional, and occasionally light-hearted with the SCOTUS nominee. However, “The View” co-host Joy Behar believes they have been flirting with her.
“These Republican senators (Sasse and now Cruz) are shamelessly flirting with ACB. Obnoxious,” tweeted Behar on Wednesday.
These Republican senators (Sasse and now Cruz) are shamelessly flirting with ACB. Obnoxious.
— Joy Behar (@JoyVBehar) October 14, 2020
Exactly what moment Behar was referring to, she did not say; however, she is far from the only female commentator who felt Barrett was being treated inappropriately by male GOP senators. In an op-ed for CNN, Laura Coates ripped Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for questioning Amy Coney Barrett about matters pertaining to her personal life.
“After speaking for over 20 minutes, the Texas Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee decided to ask Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a seminal legal mind, about her children’s distance learning and piano lessons. Let’s just say, it struck a chord with women everywhere,” lamented Coates. “There are a multitude of topics to discuss with a person nominated to fill a lifetime appointment, let alone one nominated to be one of only nine justices on the Supreme Court of the United States. As such, senators must be selective in their questions to avoid squandering their precious time, and instead focus on prioritizing those areas of the utmost and often most urgent concerns.”
“But rather than ask Barrett about her judicial philosophy of originalism, stare decisis, her controversial academic writings as a law professor or her judicial opinions over the past three years as a judge on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals — all of which are top of mind for many voters — he bafflingly decided that these four questions were a far better use of her intelligence,” continued Coates.
Whether or not the Senators were “flirting” with Barrett, as Behar suggested, that doesn’t mean she has not been subject to sexist attacks, even from other women. As The Daily Wire reported, disgraced former Congresswoman Katie Hill (D-CA) sparked a firestorm of criticism on Wednesday when she mocked Amy Coney Barrett’s choice of clothing.
“I hate to be someone who judges women on their clothes but I’m sorry ACB’s outfits are all way too handsmaid-y,” tweeted Hill.
Hill’s opinion followed that of filmmaker Michael Moore, who also compared Amy Coney Barrett’s choice of wardrobe with “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Under His eye. Blessed be the fruit. pic.twitter.com/gzRcabxqB7
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) October 12, 2020
Of course, the height of impropriety during ACB’s confirmation hearings came not from a man, but from a woman when Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) questioned whether or not Barrett had sexually assaulted anyone.
“Since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors, or committed any physical or verbal harassment or assault of a sexual nature?” Hirono asked Barrett.
“No, Senator Hirono,” Barrett replied.
“Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct?” Hirono asked again, to which Barrett replied no.