By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, March 20, 2017, the US Senate finally began confirmation hearings on President Donald J. Trump’s selection to the US Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch. Most of the Alabama congressional delegation has expressed their support for Gorsuch’s confirmation.
US Representative Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) wrote on Monday, “Today the confirmation hearings for President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch began. I’ve said several times that I believe Judge Gorsuch is an excellent choice for the Supreme Court. He’s known to be a strict constitutionalist, and I’m confident that his addition to the Supreme Court would hasten our country’s return to constitutional order.”
Congresswoman Roby continued, “As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I am particularly interested in restoring the rule of law in our nation. I believe that making Judge Neil Gorsuch our next Supreme Court Justice is critical to that effort? I hope the Senate confirms him swiftly, and I will keep you updated with the latest news on his hearings. You can follow along with the rest of Judge Gorsuch’s confirmation proceedings.”
US Representative Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose) wrote, “Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s nomination for Supreme Court Justice, will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. Judge Gorsuch is a skilled jurist who understands the importance of following the law and the Constitution. He will make an excellent addition to the Supreme Court.”
US Senator Luther Strange (R) wrote in an op-ed in The Birmingham News, “Having spent years as Attorney General charged with enforcing the law in Alabama, I understand the immense potential of judges to affirm or degrade the entire legal system. An activist judge not only runs against the expressed intent of the Constitution, but erodes the trust of law-abiding citizens. On the other hand, a justice like Neil Gorsuch would be equipped to reaffirm the limited powers of each branch of government, standing firm through passing waves of social pressure, and upholding the rule of law while politicians come and go.”
Democrats in the Senate have been stalling the confirmation of almost all of President Trumps appointees. Many like, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, have been narrowly confirmed on largely party line votes. Will Gorsuch be similarly confirmed or will the Senate require him to receive 60 votes….a much more difficult standard.
The court has been operating with just 8 justices since former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died while on a hunting trip on February 13, 2016.
