Senate Debate on Empathy
=====================================

2009-11-09 - Jeff Session on Judge Honeywell

• I wish to note that when I asked her about what role empathy should play in deciding cases, she said:

• Empathy does not play role in my consideration of cases. Presently, I decide cases by applying the law to the facts of the cases pending before me. If confirmed by the Senate to serve as a District Court judge, I will decide cases in the same manner.

• ``Instead of embracing the constitutional standard of jurisprudence, Judge Hamilton has embraced this `empathy' standard, this `feeling' standard. Whatever that is, it is not law. It is not a legal standard,'' Mr. Sessions said.