By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, January 31, 2017, President Donald J. Trump announced that US Appeals Court Judge Neil Gorsuch is his pick to fill the US Supreme Court opening created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Gorsuch was a popular choice for Alabama’s elected leaders.
US Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) released a statement supporting President Trump’s nomination of Judge Gorsuch. Sen. Shelby said, “After the untimely death of the conservative lion Justice Antonin Scalia, I strongly believed that the American people deserved a voice in filling this critical vacancy. President Trump has made an outstanding selection in nominating Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, and I am confident that he will preserve Scalia’s legacy on the bench for generations to come.”
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R) said, “I am very pleased with President Trump’s selection of Judge Neil Gorsuch as his first appointee to the US Supreme Court. Many Americans saw the November election as a battle for the Supreme Court. The tragic passing of Justice Scalia last year left the Court split 4 to 4 on some of the most critical constitutional issues of our time. It’s time to tip the scales back in favor of Justices Thomas and Alito.
AG Strange said, “President Trump committed to the American people that his appointment to the High Court would be a man or woman that was deeply devoted to the text of the Constitution and its original meaning. I believe the President has kept his commitment in choosing Judge Gorsuch.”
US Representative Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) said in a statement, “I applaud President Trump for his selection of such a highly qualified and capable nominee. The addition of Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court would hasten our government’s return to Constitutional balance and our country’s return to following the rule of law. There is no question that Judge Gorsuch is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, and I urge the Senate to quickly begin confirmation proceedings.”
US Representative Mo Brooks (R from Huntsville) said in a statement, “President Donald Trump has selected excellent cabinet and staff members and his Supreme Court nomination is no exception. Judge Neil Gorsuch will make a terrific US Supreme Court justice. Too many of our justices have succumbed to the vanity and arrogance of creating new law through judicial edict. I have the utmost respect for Judge Gorsuch’s commitment and record of ruling on issues before his court based on rational interpretation of the original intent of the Constitution or law, regardless of his personal opinions. Judge Gorsuch’s commitment to this fundamental legal philosophy is absolutely essential to preserving the rule of law in our democratically elected representative government, and I look forward to his swift confirmation.”
Congressman Mike D. Rogers (R-Saks) said on social media, “I am thrilled that President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace Justice Antonin Scalia’s conservative voice. We need a Supreme Court Justice who will adhere to the Constitution and understand that power resides with the American people. Judge Gorsuch will do just that, and I look forward to a fair and timely confirmation process by the Senate.”
Sen. Shelby said, “Our next Supreme Court Justice must be a steadfast supporter of the rule of law with an unwavering commitment to the Constitution. There is no doubt that Judge Gorsuch meets these necessary qualifications. I look forward to supporting his nomination and urge my Senate colleagues to join me.”
AG Strange said, “Sadly, the Senate Democrats made threats to filibuster the President’s nominee before they even knew who that would be. It’s time for the Republican leadership to fight back. There is no more fundamental issue for our country than the preservation of our Constitution. Judge Gorsuch must be confirmed without delay.”
US Representative Terri Sewell (D-Selma), Alabama’s only Democratic officeholder above the level of the state legislature, was less convinced. Congresswoman Sewell said, “In the coming days and weeks, I look forward to learning more about the judicial opinions and constitutional philosophy of Judge Gorsuch. Given the consequential nature of this nomination, it is imperative that my Senate colleagues rigorously vet his legal opinions and jurisprudence, and ensure his philosophies are consistent with our Constitution and values as a nation. At this critical juncture in our nation’s history, it is important that this nominee be a fair and impartial adjudicator of the laws that protect the rights of all Americans.”
Judge Neil Gorsuch serves on the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, to be a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United State. orsuch received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and attended Harvard Law School on a Truman Scholarship. Gorsuch was nominated to his current post by President George W. Bush in 2006.
