Reed Statement on Supreme Court Nomination of Neil Gorsuch

WASHINGTON, DC – After President Trump announced he will nominate Judge Neil
Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the
following statement:

«The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It is a crucial check on the
power of both the executive and legislative branches.

«Senate Republicans did a great disservice to the nation, and this nominee, when
they took the unprecedented and extreme step of blocking President Obama’s moderate
Supreme Court nominee for nearly a year. As a result, many Americans question this
nomination.

«Judge Gorsuch’s record in the lower court suggests he could impose significant new
constraints on civil liberties, women’s rights and workers’ rights, and roll back
consumer protections and clean air laws. I am concerned that Judge Gorsuch has a
tendency to favor the interests of big corporations and special interests over every
day Americans.

«The American people deserve an opportunity to learn more about this nominee and
whether he is committed to upholding their rights.

«As I stated when Merrick Garland was nominated by President Obama: There is plenty
of room for tough questions and respectful debate in this process.

«All of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominees cleared a sixty vote threshold and
President Trump’s nominee should adhere to the same standard.»