Orrin Hatch: “I think that is wrong. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints myself, the only church in…”

“I think that is wrong. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints myself, the only church in the history of this Nation that had an extermination order out against it by the Governor of Missouri at the time, I fully understand terrible religious prejudice. So I decry anybody on the right, or anybody supporting Judge Pickering, calling Senator Leahy or any other Democrat or any other Member of this body, to criticize their religious perspective or view. But it certainly was wrong to criticize Judge Pickering's religion and his religious perspective. He is a religious, righteous man, the type of person you would want to have on the bench. And thank goodness he still will be on the bench in the district court, but he won't be able to lend his expertise and talents to the circuit court of appeals. I join with the concern expressed by my colleagues here and in the House, including Democrats. The fact that an impression has been created that the Senate Judiciary Committee would impose any test, whether a religious test or an abortion litmus test, concerns me greatly.”