On Wednesday, President Joe Biden’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, could not name a single restriction on abortion he would support during his Senate confirmation hearing.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines asked Becerra if he could support such restrictions of any sort, including aborting children diagnosed with Down syndrome or banning partial-birth abortions.

Becerra Repeatedly Refused To Answer If He Would Support Even One Abortion Restriction

Here is how their exchange went.

After Daines pressed Becerra on the abortion question, the HHS nominee replied, “Senator, let me try to respond this way.”

“I have tried to make sure on this important issue for so many people, where oftentimes again we have different views, but deeply held views, that I have tried to make sure that I am abiding by the law,” Becerra said.

He continued, “Because whether it’s a particular restriction, or whether it’s the whole idea of abortion, whether we agree or not, we have to come to some conclusion, and that’s where the law gives…”

Sen. Daines wasn’t having it.

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Daines jumped in, “But, to be clear, is there any line you would draw? Is there just one – just one restriction that relates to abortion that you might support?”

Becerra would not respond to Daines’ question directly. Becerra did say that his Catholic mother, who “prays the rosary every day,” prayed for him as he prepared for his confirmation hearings.

The Catholic Church, of course, opposes abortion. In 2019, Pope Francis reiterated the position of the Church, comparing abortion to hiring a hitman.

But Daines kept it up, asking about “the battle for those who don’t have a voice.”

Daines To Becerra: ‘Even One, Even One Restriction?’

“You didn’t answer the question,” Daines said. “Even one, even one restriction?”

“How about a ban on the lethal discrimination of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome?” Daines suggested.

Becerra replied, “Senator, if I can simply say to you that I respect the different views that are out there, but what’s important is to make sure that…”

That’s when Daines interrupted.

“But, if you’re confirmed, you’re going to be the head of HHS!” Daines declared. “That’s a huge organization, it has profound impact on our society! How about a ban on sex-selective abortion?”

Becerra Would Not Even Agree To A Ban On Partial-birth Abortion

Becerra responded, “I respect those that take a particular view. My job will be to make sure I am following the law.”

Becerra would not even commit on a ban on partial-birth abortion.

Biden’s Health Secretary nominee was too much even for Mitt Romney.

The Utah Senator asked Becerra, “Most people agree that partial-birth abortion is awful. You voted against a ban on partial-birth abortion. Why?”

After dodging the question, Becerra replied that he was hopeful “to be able to work with you and others to be able to reach that common ground on so many issues.”

Romney said to Becerra after their exchange that “on partial-birth abortion, it sounds like we are not going to reach common ground there.”

Becerra has an extreme record on abortion. The long-time former Congressman and current Attorney General of California has a 100% score from NARAL, a pro-abortion special interest group and 100% from Planned Parenthood.

According to OnTheIssues.org, Becerra;

  • Voted against a ban on partial-birth abortion, twice
  • Voted to give US taxpayer money to fund foreign abortions
  • Voted against banning taxpayer funded abortions
  • Voted against making it a federal crime to transport minors across state lines to get an abortion
  • Co-sponsored a bill allowing abortions “at any time”

This piece originally appeared in ThePoliticalInsider.com and is used by permission.

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