Reply from Senator Markey

EDWARD J. MARKEY MASSACHUSETTS		218 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20510 (202) 224-2742
	United States Senate April 24, 2017

Thank you for contacting me about President Donald Trump's nominee to the United States Supreme Court, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

One of the Senate's most important and solemn responsibilities is to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees. The Supreme Court and its new justice will shape the law on issues that impact every American.  Under President Trump, the Supreme Court's role in preventing abuses of Executive power and defending the Constitution will be tested as never before.

The nomination of Judge Gorsuch confirmed that President Trump wanted a Supreme Court Justice who would advance a far-right agenda. As a federal appeals court judge for more than a decade, Judge Gorsuch sided with corporations over the environment, the disabled, and consumers.  He sided with corporations that withhold people's pay and improperly fire workers.  He sided with corporations over the reproductive rights and health of women.  President Trump repeatedly promised to appoint a Supreme Court Justice who would overturn Roe v. Wade, and he found a potential ally in Judge Gorsuch.

Judge Gorsuch's record gave every American reason to be concerned that the basic protections that keep families safe, healthy, and productive would be at risk if he were confirmed by the Senate to serve on the nation's highest court.  Based on the totality of Judge Gorsuch's record, I could not support his nomination. 

I was also deeply concerned that President Trump had expressed his desire for the Senate to change the rules governing the threshold vote for confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice nominee. I was concerned about Senate Republicans' invoking the "nuclear option" for Judge Gorsuch's nomination, and any efforts that would further erode the foundational pillars of our democratic process.  If Judge Gorsuch could not muster 60 votes as traditionally required for Supreme Court nominations, he was the problem, not the process. 

Unfortunately, on April 7, 2017, Senate Republicans invoked the "nuclear option" and confirmed Judge Gorsuch by a vote of 54 to 45. I voted "no" on Judge Gorsuch's nomination.  

Thank you again for contacting me about this issue. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.  
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Sincerely,

Edward J. Markey
United States Senator