Biden says he \'regrets\' the treatment of Anita Hill

Former Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday (March 26) he 'regrets' the treatment of Anita Hill during the Senate confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991.

Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time.

He's been criticized for not doing enough to protect Hill, who accused Thomas of sexual harassment.

"There were a bunch of white guys.

No seriously, a bunch of white guys hearing this testimony on the senate judiciary committee.

So when Anita Hill came to testify she faced a committee that didn't fully understand what the hell it was all about.

To this day I regret I couldn't come up with a way to get her the hearing she deserved," he said.

Biden has since apologized and said he would have done more to shield Hill from Republicans.

Biden was speaking at the Biden Courage Awards in New York City, an event that highlights students who are working to stop sexual assault.

Sources familiar with Biden's plans for a 2020 White House run said last Wednesday (March 20) he has begun building a presidential campaign ahead of an expected announcement in April.

He has told supporters and former staff that he will run, according to one source who has knowledge of discussions.

Biden and his aides also have reached out to donors and potential bundlers - people who volunteer to raise money on behalf of the candidate - to assess support, according to another source.