On January 31, TCA issued the following statements on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to the United States Supreme Court:

 

“Judge Gorsuch is an exceptionally well-qualified choice for the Supreme Court. He is widely respected as a fair and independent-minded judge and a man of good character. He has a proven track record as a jurist who interprets the Constitution as opposed to legislating from the bench. It is that kind of constitutionalist jurisprudence that voters demanded in this election. One in five voters said that Supreme Court appointments were the most important issue in determining their vote. Those voters and countless Americans had grown tired of disregard for the rule of law and disrespect for our most important governing document: the Constitution. Catholic voters, who were especially important in determining the outcome of this election, know just how important the Court is when it comes to the issues we care most about: human dignity, religious liberty, and respect for the sanctity of human life. For eight years, Catholics have experienced an endless assault on our institutions and our right to freely live out our beliefs and our mission to serve others. The fate of our freedoms are very much tied up in the future of the Court. There is no question that Judge Gorsuch would uphold the constitutional protections of our rights. We now ask that the Senate give a fair hearing and an up or down vote on his nomination.” Ashley McGuire, Senior Fellow with The Catholic Association

“The choice of Judge Gorsuch is an absolute home run; he couldn’t be a more fitting replacement for Justice Scalia’s seat on the Supreme Court, given his reputation as a textualist constitutional scholar.  Voters spoke with clarity in November on the importance of the Supreme Court, knowing in advance the precise list of names from which the nominee would be chosen, and Senators ought to grant him a timely up-or-down vote. We call on the Senate to act quickly to confirm this nominee, whom we are confident will uphold our most cherished rights.” Maureen Ferguson, Senior Policy Advisor with The Catholic Association

 

“In nominating Judge Gorsuch, Mr. Trump makes good on one of his most important campaign promises: to nominate a fitting replacement for the late, great Justice Scalia.  Americans moved by tradition, love of country and faith in God prefer to be governed by the Constitution as originally written, and not by a Supreme Court that makes up laws based on preferred outcomes and guided by the judges’ prejudices.  Judge Gorsuch is sure to follow Justice Scalia as a fair and impartial defender of the freedoms that are so clearly enumerated in our founding charter, but have been so grossly ignored for the last eight years.  All that is left now is for the Senate to grant Judge Gorsuch the fair hearing he deserves, and an up and down vote on his nomination.” Grazie Christie, Senior Policy Advisor with The Catholic Association