Gorsuch Hearing: Day 1
Most of the comments on the first day of Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings came from senators, but the Colorado native did have a chance to make his opening remarks.
Echoing many of the same statements he made the night President Trump announced his nomination, Gorsuch told the Senate Judiciary Committee that if confirmed, he would be a servant of the Constitution, not his own opinions.
His 16-minute address focused largely on his ability to be impartial.
“My decisions have never reflected a judgement about the people before me, only a judgement about the law and facts at issue in eah particular case. A good judge can promise no more than that, and a good judge should promise no less.”
While he was chosen by the president for his conservative stance, Gorsuch provided numbers this week to prove he puts the law first, almost always agreeing with his fellow appeals court judges in Denver, even when their backgrounds are different.
“97 percent of those 2700 cases I’ve decided were decided unanimously, and I have been in the majority 99 percent of the time. That’s my record, and that’s how we do things in the West,” he said.
From their comments, it was clear many on the committee feel this seat was stolen from Merrick Garland, nominated by President Obama in March of 2016 following the death of Antonin Scalia, but denied a confirmation hearing by Republicans due to the upcoming election.
Democratic Colorado Senator Michael Bennett mentioned Garland while introducing Judge Gorsuch.
“And it is tempting to deny Mr. Gorsuch a fair hearing because of the senate’s prior failure. But Mr. Chairman, two wrongs never make a right. The supreme court is too important not to find a way to end our destructive gridlock and bitter partisanship.”
Senator Bennett, unlike Republican Senator Cory Gardner, didn’t go so far as saying he support gorsuch’s nomination, but he also hasn’t said he won’t.
Eight Democrats or Independents would have to support him to prevent Senate Republicans from having to change the rules and allow Gorsuch’s approval with only 51 votes, instead of the normal requirement of 60.
