(CNN)Sen. Rand Paul refused to speak Thursday with
a federal judge whose son was shot by a man who ambushed their New Jersey home almost two years.
US District Judge Esther Salas,
whose 20-year-old son, Daniel, was killed in the attack, carried out by a disgruntled attorney who had appeared before her in court, tried to stop the Kentucky Republican outside a hearing.
She wanted to persuade him
to stop blocking legislation that would prohibit the publication of the private information of federal judges, such as home addresses, vehicle information and other data that could put them at risk of retaliation.
Paul says he supports the bill but is insisting it be changed so the privacy protections would be extended to members of Congress. He has refused to allow it to pass by unanimous consent despite multiple attempts by the bill's supporters, including New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, whose staff informed CNN ahead of time that Salas intended to try to speak to Paul.
CNN witnessed Salas' effort to confront Paul in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. He shook her hand as he appeared, but he then kept walking down a long hall, saying that if she wanted to talk to him, she would have to make an appointment with his office.
The judge replied, "Senator, you won't talk to me?" and he repeated, "If you've got an appointment. Call the office, please."