Democratic Senator says Neil Gorsuch must be rejected because of his pro-life beliefs

U.S. Supreme Court nominee judge Neil Gorsuch is sworn in to testify at his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2017. | Reuters/James Lawler Duggan

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein has argued against the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court because of his pro-life beliefs.

During Gorsuch's confirmation hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, Feinstein noted that President Donald Trump had repeatedly vowed to nominate justices that would be pro-life and would overturn Roe v. Wade. She said that while Gorsuch had not ruled directly on a case involving Roe v. Wade, she is concerned about some of his writings.

"Specifically, he wrote that he believes there are no exceptions to the principle that 'the intentional taking of a human life by private persons is always wrong.' This language has been interpreted by both pro-life and pro-choice organizations to mean he would overturn Roe," Feinstein said, according to Life Site News.

The senator then proceeded to describe the case of a woman who wrote an op-ed about her pregnancy for The Washington Post two weeks ago. According to Feinstein, the woman was told by three doctors that she had a fatal condition and that carrying her pregnancy to term would increase the risk sevenfold.

"The mother described their excruciating decision and the unforgiving process the couple endured to get the medical care they needed," Feinstein narrated.

"The Supreme Court has the final say on whether a woman will continue to have control over her own body or whether decisions about her healthcare will be determined by politicians and the government," she added.

The senator went on to say that Gorsuch's "originalist" judicial philosophy is "really troubling" and could potentially lead to government discrimination against members of the LGBT community.

Gorsuch, who is currently a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, has gained the support of pro-life groups because of his track record of supporting religious freedom of organizations that refuse to pay for forced abortions.

The groups also took note of his opposition to assisted suicide as well as his support for a state fighting to defund Planned Parenthood.

On Monday, a coalition of 60 pro-life groups, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate to call for the swift confirmation of Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

If confirmed, Gorsuch would replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who supported overturning Roe v. Wade as well as allowing individual states to provide legal protection for the unborn.