[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 57 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE: THE SUPREME COURT

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2017

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this week, the 
United States Senate will consider the nomination of Judge Neil M. 
Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Since President Trump first 
nominated Judge Gorsuch in January of this year, there has been fierce 
debate regarding his credentials, political leanings, and the 
circumstances surrounding his nomination.
  The circumstances surrounding Judge Gorsuch's nomination are 
alarming. It is only due to Republican obstructionism during President 
Obama's Administration that Congress is even considering Judge 
Gorsuch's nomination. After the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia in 
February 2016, Republicans in the Senate made an unprecedented move to 
stall the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland--President Obama's 
nominee--for a record 293 days. It was the source of tremendous tension 
during President Obama's final year in the White House, and undermined 
the integrity of the highest court in our lands and our delicate system 
of checks and balances. Under Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's 
leadership, Senate Republicans refused to hold a single hearing, vote, 
or take a single action to advance Judge Garland's nomination.
  Freshly uncovered ties between President Trump and his close allies 
and advisors to the Kremlin have also raised numerous concerns about 
his nominees and the individuals who President Trump is selecting to 
fill the most trusted positions within our government. With the 
resignation of retired Gen. Michael Flynn, former National Security 
Advisor, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, and foreign 
policy advisor Carter Page, there is a clear pattern emerging in 
President Trump's Administration. Members of Congress and others have 
begun asking questions, and the American people deserve answers before 
we allow President Trump's nominations to move forward.
  Judge Gorsuch's record on the issues also deserves additional 
scrutiny. While Judge Gorsuch's conservative views are not an outright 
cause for concern, his record on issues impacting minority groups, 
women, and workers, and his positions favoring police immunity and 
corporate interests are cause for concern.
  Mr. Speaker, this Congress needs to come together to carefully 
evaluate Judge Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court. Given 
President Trump's alleged ties to the Russian Government, I believe it 
is wise to suspend any of President Trump's nominations until Congress 
can satisfy any concerns surrounding these ties. It is also 
hypocritical for Republicans in Congress to cry foul of Democrats for 
trying to delay Judge Gorsuch's nomination when just a few months 
prior, Republicans had unjustly delayed President Obama's nominee for a 
record-setting 293 days. We must act in the best interests of our own 
country, and I believe that entails delaying the nomination of Judge 
Neil Gorsuch.

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