JD Vance dismisses Harris’ work in ‘the most anti-Catholic administration in living memory’

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance has accused Vice President Kamala Harris of being biased against Roman Catholics in a fiery op-ed targeting working-class churchgoers in states like Pennsylvania.

“In the White House, Ms. Harris has been an integral part of the most anti-Catholic administration in living memory — ironic given President Joe Biden’s Catholic faith,” Vance, 40, said. wrote in a sharp article Published Thursday by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Ohio senator later said, “As a Catholic, I have a personal investment in ending this continuing pattern of anti-Catholic policies and actions.” “But non-Catholic and non-religious Americans should also be concerned.”

The op-ed came out less than a week after Harris, 60. Opted not to attend Archdiocese of New York’s Al Smith dinner for charity – She became the first major party candidate to skip a white-tie event in 40 years.

Meanwhile, in an interview with NBC News that aired Tuesday night, Harris signaled her opposition to any Religious-based exemptions in codification of abortion rights nationwideSaying: “I don’t think we should make concessions when we’re talking about the fundamental freedom to make decisions about our own bodies.”

Less than a third of Pittsburgh’s residents are Catholic, According Nearly a quarter of Pennsylvanians practice the faith, according to census data, according to a Pew Research study.

In his op-ed, Vance recalled how then-Sen. Harris questioned federal district court nominee Brian Buescher in 2018 over his membership in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization.

At one point, Harris, now 60, asked Buescher: “Did you know that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman’s right to choose when you joined the organization?”

“Harris suggested that Judge Buescher was ineligible to serve on the bench because of his Catholic faith,” Vance wrote. “Any first-year law student will tell you that her questioning style qualifies as an unconstitutional religious test for public office.”

Vance also criticized Harris over the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, in which the high court held that Colorado could not be a baker Forced to bake wedding cake for gay When the couple opposed gay marriage on religious grounds.

Vance cited the Do No Harm Act, which Harris introduced in 2019 and would have Use of religious exemptions banned In his words, “by laws guaranteeing fundamental civil and legal rights.”

Vance wrote, “If this bill becomes law, Catholic doctors and medical professionals who refuse to perform late-term abortions or perform dangerous, life-altering surgeries on minors could lose their licenses and face federal discrimination charges.” “Can face lawsuits.”

Turning to Harris’ tenure as Vice President, Vance accused the administration of “an absurd double standard.”

“While this administration is busy targeting suburban Catholic fathers, it has essentially ignored the nearly 300 attacks on Catholic churches since the leaking of the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision in 2022,” he said of the 2022 arrest. Wrote with reference to. Mark Hawke, a Catholic pro-life activist who was later acquitted Of attacking a pro-abortion rights protestor.

Vance wrote, “If politicians can use the power of government to target Catholics for their faith or force them to compromise their beliefs, they can trample on any of our most cherished rights , if those rights get in the way of their agenda.”

The Post contacted the Harris-Walz campaign for comment.