"Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law? That is the standard I set for myself in every case, and it is the standard I will follow as long as I am a judge on any court," Barrett told the committee.
The judge also said that she was "forever grateful" for the path blazed by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and that it would be the "honor of a lifetime" to serve on the Supreme Court.
"I might bring a few new perspectives to the bench," she said, noting that she would be the first mother of school-aged children to serve on the court, and she would be the only sitting justice who did not attend Harvard Law School or Yale Law. Barrett graduated first in her class from Notre Dame Law School, and later returned to the school as a professor.
"I am confident that Notre Dame will hold its own, and maybe I could even teach them a thing or two about football," she said.
The members of the Senate Judiciary Committee spoke prior to Barrett's opening remarks. The Democratic members of the committee were largely critical of Barrett's nomination, while the Republicans were supportive.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the ranking minority member of the committee said that the "stakes are extraordinarily high for the American people," and said that she would make the Affordable Care Act the focus of her questioning during the hearings.
During Barrett's first confirmation hearings, when she was nominated to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Feinstein made headlines after she said that "the dogma lives loudly within you" regarding Barrett's Catholic faith.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), chairman of the committee, opened the hearings Monday morning, saying he hoped to see "to the extent possible" a "respectful and challenging" confirmation process.
Christine Rousselle is a former DC Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. Prior to working at CNA, she was the managing web editor of Townhall.com; she has a BA in political science from Providence College.