Friday, June 23, 2006
Gorsuch Receives Bi-Partisan Praise at Hearing
On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee held its confirmation hearing for Neil M. Gorsuch, nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He and his family were warmly introduced by Sens. Allard (R-CO) and Salazar (D-CO). Sen. Graham (R-SC) chaired the hearing as the only member in attendance.
Sen. Allard commended the Committee and Chairman Specter for their promptness in considering this "extraordinarily well-qualified" nominee. He described Gorsuch as "well-rounded educationally, professionally and personally" with deep Colorado roots, who recognizes the proper role of the judiciary.
Sen. Salazar also complimented Gorsuch as "very intelligent, thoughtful and appreciative of the honor" of being nominated to the bench. Salazar, a member of the Gang of 14, did not explicitly endorse Gorsuch, but hoped the hearing would provide an opportunity to learn more about Gorsuch's judicial philosophy.
Mr. Gorsuch thanked President Bush for the honor of the nomination and thanked his family, friends and colleagues from the Department of Justice and his former firm for their support. In response to a question about the differences between an advocate and a judge, he stated that being a judge is the greatest honor for a lawyer, because his client becomes the cause of justice. In discussing his judicial philosophy, he noted that he resists being pigeon-holed and would approach each case with an open mind. He would aim to respect the attorneys before him, respect his colleagues and respect precedent.
Sen. Graham also praised the candidate and commented on how he had enjoyed working with Gorsuch in his role in the Department of Justices, particularly with "detainee" issues. He felt the nominee would be well received by the Senate. He closed the hearing noting his concerns about the process of judicial confirmations becoming so difficult that good men and women would choose not to participate. "Being a judge and a politician are different things."
The next step is a vote by the Committee to move the nomination to the floor.
Sen. Allard commended the Committee and Chairman Specter for their promptness in considering this "extraordinarily well-qualified" nominee. He described Gorsuch as "well-rounded educationally, professionally and personally" with deep Colorado roots, who recognizes the proper role of the judiciary.
Sen. Salazar also complimented Gorsuch as "very intelligent, thoughtful and appreciative of the honor" of being nominated to the bench. Salazar, a member of the Gang of 14, did not explicitly endorse Gorsuch, but hoped the hearing would provide an opportunity to learn more about Gorsuch's judicial philosophy.
Mr. Gorsuch thanked President Bush for the honor of the nomination and thanked his family, friends and colleagues from the Department of Justice and his former firm for their support. In response to a question about the differences between an advocate and a judge, he stated that being a judge is the greatest honor for a lawyer, because his client becomes the cause of justice. In discussing his judicial philosophy, he noted that he resists being pigeon-holed and would approach each case with an open mind. He would aim to respect the attorneys before him, respect his colleagues and respect precedent.
Sen. Graham also praised the candidate and commented on how he had enjoyed working with Gorsuch in his role in the Department of Justices, particularly with "detainee" issues. He felt the nominee would be well received by the Senate. He closed the hearing noting his concerns about the process of judicial confirmations becoming so difficult that good men and women would choose not to participate. "Being a judge and a politician are different things."
The next step is a vote by the Committee to move the nomination to the floor.
# posted by Kim Loontjer @ 10:39 AM 
