[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 61 (Friday, April 7, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S2436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Recognition of the Minority Leader

  The Democratic leader is recognized.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, first, let me address the nomination of 
Judge Gorsuch, which will soon proceed to a final vote over the 
objection of we Democrats. Even though Democrats had principled reasons 
to oppose this judge, even though we offered many times to meet with 
the majority to discuss a new nominee and a way forward, the 
Republicans chose to break the rules and erase the 60-vote threshold 
for all judicial nominees. They had many options, and they chose, 
unfortunately, the nuclear option.
  I believe it will make this body a more partisan place, it will make 
the cooling saucer of the Senate considerably hotter, and I believe it 
will make the Supreme Court a more partisan place. As a result, 
America's faith in the integrity of the Court and their trust in the 
basic impartiality of the law will suffer. Those are serious things for 
this Republic. Prior to yesterday's cloture vote, I shared my views on 
this moment at length, and I will let those comments stand in the 
Record.
  As I have said repeatedly over the last week, week and a half, let us 
go no further down this road. I hope the Republican leader and I can, 
in the coming months, find a way to build a firewall around the 
legislative filibuster, which is the most important distinction between 
the Senate and the House. Without the 60-vote threshold for 
legislation, the Senate becomes a majoritarian institution like the 
House, much more subject to the winds of short-term electoral change. 
No Senator would like to see that happen so let's find a way to further 
protect the 60-vote rule for legislation.
  Since he will soon become the ninth Justice on the Court, I hope 
Judge Gorsuch has listened to our debate in the Senate, particularly 
our concerns about the Supreme Court increasingly drifting toward 
becoming a more pro-corporate Court that favors employers, 
corporations, and special interests over working America.
  We all know there is an anger and sourness in the land because 
average people aren't getting a fair shake compared to the powerful. In 
many cases, the Supreme Court is the last resort for everyday Americans 
who are seeking fairness and justice against forces much larger than 
themselves. At a time when folks are struggling to stay in the middle 
class and are struggling as hard as ever to get into the middle class, 
we need a Justice on the Court who will help swing it back in the 
direction of the people.
  So we are charging Judge Gorsuch to be the independent and fairminded 
Justice America badly needs. If he is, instead, a Justice for the 
Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation, that will spell trouble 
for America.