Wednesday, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill (R) wrote a letter adding his support for the confirmation of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh was nominated by President Donald J. Trump (R) to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy.
“President Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court is great for America and the State of Alabama,” Sec. Merrill wrote. “As Alabamians, our State Motto “We Dare Defend Our Rights” is fitting to also describe Judge Kavanaugh’s service, since 2006, as a Federal Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.”
“As a Jurist, Judge Kavanaugh has continuously rejected attempts by the federal government to overreach its authority and impose burdensome regulations into the lives of Americans,” Merrill continued. “To quote Judge Kavanaugh, “The judge’s job is to interpret the law, not to make the law or make policy. So read the words of the statute as written. Read the text of the Constitution as written, mindful of history and tradition. Don’t make up new constitutional rights that are not in the text of the Constitution. Don’t shy away from enforcing constitutional rights that are in the text of the Constitution.””
“Uniquely qualified as an outstanding undergraduate, law student, distinguished law clerk, and public servant, Judge Kavanaugh has served our nation in various capacities, most notably as Senior Associate White House Counsel and, later, as Staff Secretary to President George W. Bush,” Merrill continued. “As an everyday American, Judge Kavanaugh has always cared for and about his neighbors and family. Serving as a youth basketball coach, church volunteer, elementary school tutor, and devoted husband and father, Judge Kavanaugh takes the time to remember that Americans from all walks of life and their families are important in holding our communities together. Supporting Judge Kavanaugh as our next Associate Supreme Court Justice will not only provide Liberty a strong defender of our beloved Constitution, but it will also support all Alabamians in our pursuit to lead, build, and make lives free from government interference, as all of us, together, “Dare Defend Our Rights!””
There is growing pressure on Alabama’s two U.S. Senators to confirm Kavanaugh to the nation’s highest court. Senator Richard Shelby (R) is believed to be supportive of Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Shelby said in a statement, “President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He has impressive credentials, and I look forward to meeting with him to further consider his qualifications and commitment to upholding our Constitution as it is written. This nomination is one of the most important items that we will consider this year. I am hopeful that Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation process will be fair and timely.”
Senator Doug Jones (D) is much more of a question mark and has been non-committal to this point as to whether he will vote to confirm Kavanaugh or not.
John Merrill is seeking a second term as Secretary of State in the November 6 election.
