WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted in favor of the nomination of Notre Dame professor Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

The questioning of Barrett during her confirmation hearing generated protests from Roman Catholic leaders.

They say the focus on her faith was misplaced and ran counter to the Constitution's prohibition on religious tests for political office.

Democratic lawmakers held their ground on the questioning before voting against her Thursday. The vote was 11-9.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is the panel's senior Democrat. She says Barrett had no experience as a judge and worked on only one trial before becoming a professor. Feinstein says lawmakers had to focus on her writings, and, "I think that has been exaggerated out of any reality."