Joe Biden Apologizes To Anita Hill For Clarence Thomas Hearings, But She Doesn’t Accept

Anita Hill has confirmed that former Vice President Joe Biden reached out to her via telephone this month to offer his apologies for his conduct during her 1991 testimony regarding Justice Clarence Thomas. 

However, Hill isn’t buying it.

“I cannot be satisfied by simply saying I’m sorry for what happened to you. I will be satisfied when I know there is real change and real accountability and real purpose,” Hill told The New York Times in an interview published Thursday.

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Biden chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee during her 1991 testimony and offered her regrets for “what she endured.” Hill accused then Supreme Court nominee Thomas of sexual harassment. Hill said that she doesn’t believe Biden has taken into account how his actions affected not just her, but all women who have suffered sexual harassment and violence.

“The focus on apology to me is one thing,” Hill said. “But he needs to give an apology to the other women and to the American public because we know now how deeply disappointed Americans around the country were about what they saw. And not just women. There are women and men now who have just really lost confidence in our government to respond to the problem of gender violence.”

Biden said last month how he wish he could have done something more for Hill during the meeting. “She was abused in the hearing. She was taken advantage of. Her reputation was attacked. I wish I could have done something,” he said

A spokesman for Biden confirmed that a private conversation took place between the two. “They had a private discussion where he shared with her directly his regret for what she endured and his admiration for everything she has done to change the culture around sexual harassment in this country.” he said.

Biden also addressed the issue more generally back in March.

“A brave lawyer, a really notable woman, Anita Hill, a professor, showed the courage of a lifetime talking about her experience being harassed by Clarence Thomas … But she paid a terrible price. She was abused in the hearing. She was taken advantage of. Her reputation was attacked. I wish I could have done something.” Biden said.