ADF praises Neil Gorsuch nomination, Mi Familia Vota says he’s hostile on women’s rights, bad on immigration reform
President Trump’s nomination of Colorado judge Neil Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court was certain to create a divide between the left and the right, the progressives and the constitutionalists and that is certainly the case.
Alliance Defending Freedom President, CEO, and General Counsel Michael Farris praised the Gorsuch record and sounds hope he will be a suitable replaceable for Justice Scalia.
“The president promised to appoint justices committed to interpreting the Constitution of the United States as the Founders intended, and Judge Gorsuch’s extensive record reflects that commitment,” Farris said in a statement.
“While ADF does not take a position on the merits of Supreme Court nominees, we are hopeful that Judge Gorsuch will continue to interpret the Constitution faithfully and according to the intent of the Founders. That is essential to protect our first freedom—the right to peacefully live and work consistently with one’s religious beliefs.”
In contrast, progressives, like PCCC, poised themselves for full on opposition with Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley calling for a filibuster before the first words are uttered in a confirmation hearing. One group, Mi Familia Vota, spoke out against Judge Gorsuch.
“The power of the Supreme Court goes beyond partisanship. The Supreme Court Justices hold the future of this country and its people in their hands. The Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment and Justices should uphold equal treatment under the law for all and not any political party’s agenda. We need only remember the hearts broken by the split United States v. Texas decision, that indefinitely halted implementation of the expansion of DACA and DAPA, to know what is at stake,” Ben Monterroso, executive director of Mi Familia Vota, said in a statement.
Monterroso says Gorsuch has exhibited “hostility” towards “women’s rights” and is bad on environmental issues.
“President Donald Trump promised he would nominate a Supreme Court Justice to replace Antonin Scalia that would be true to Scalia’s approach to the law. He has found that in Judge Neil Gorsuch. His record shows outright hostility to a woman’s right to choose, and his appointment would threaten important protections for clean air, clean water, workers, and safe food and medicine that we all depend on each day.
“Latino families support stronger protections for workers and our children deserve someone who would hold accountable corporations polluting our air and water. The most important question we can ask ourselves about Judge Gorsuch at the end of the day is whether he will be impartial and fair and use his power as a Supreme Court Justice to serve as check to the radical actions undertaken by Trump. Will Judge Gorsuch uphold the U.S. Constitution or will he simply follow Trump’s lead?
“The American people deserve a full and fair process to determine whether Judge Gorsuch is the right candidate to fill the bench. We are confidant that if our Senators perform an independent and thorough evaluation of Judge Gorsuch, their findings will show he is the wrong choice for the Supreme Court.”
Harsh words of Trump and the opposition on issues like abortion, the EPA and Gorsuch.
California’s Barbara Lee agrees: “I am deeply concerned by President Trump’s decision to name Judge Neil Gorsuch as his nominee to be the next Supreme Court Justice. The president has indicated that his nominee would automatically overturn Roe v. Wade and be approved by radical right-wing organizations. These pre-qualifications present an immediate threat to our constitutional rights and freedoms.
“The Supreme Court is the last line of defense for the protection of our civil and human rights. In order to qualify for a lifetime appointment to our nation’s highest court, a nominee must respect the constitutional rights of all Americans and prove that he or she will judge cases fairly, with an open mind, and without a political agenda.
“The selection of our next Supreme Court Justice is not a decision we should take lightly, it will dramatically impact this generation and generations to come. The confirmation process must involve an in-depth review of Judge Gorsuch record.
“We must evaluate whether he will protect reproductive freedoms, civil and human rights for everyone, the separation of church and state and our environment among other issues of importance. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus I believe Judge Gorsuch’s record on issues that impact the African American community, including affirmative action, civil rights, voting rights, and criminal justice reform must be thoroughly examined.
“Given Judge Gorsuch’s record on the federal bench I am concerned that he will not meet the high standards necessary to be a Justice that protects all Americans.”