Judge Kavanaugh: An Impressive, Talented, Measured Jurist
‘I guess our Democratic friends’ coordinated plan was to throw a big pot of spaghetti at the wall and see if anything stuck… Nothing stuck except the complete contrast between a gracious, thoughtful, patient nominee. And the hyperventilating by Senate Democrats who are obviously not interested in giving Judge Kavanaugh the fair consideration he deserves.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the president’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh:
“The Senate continues work on a number of important priorities. This morning, I joined a number of colleagues in the first conference committee meeting for the farm bill. Others of our colleagues are continuing to confer with the House on appropriations bills, so we can stay on track with respect to funding the government.
“Here on the floor this week, we’ll continue attending to the personnel business. We voted yesterday to advance the nomination of Elad Roisman to serve on the Securities and Exchange Commission. After we confirm him, we’ll turn to eight more highly-qualified district court nominees.
“And of course, the nation turned its attention yesterday to the start of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Those who tuned in heard about a ‘well-respected judge and well-respected professor’ with ‘flawless’ judicial temperament and integrity -- someone who ‘makes those around him better.’ They heard these accounts from a former U.S. Secretary of State, a sitting U.S. Senator, and a prominent liberal litigator with extensive experience before the Supreme Court.
“And from Judge Kavanaugh himself, they heard about his guiding principles -- Quote: ‘Interpret the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent.’ In sum, the American people saw the impressive, talented, measured jurist they’ve heard so much about. But unfortunately, the country also saw disappointing displays of attempted partisan obstruction.
“The rude, disrespectful, and boorish behavior we saw yesterday in the Judiciary Committee was the confirmation hearing equivalent of an ‘Abolish ICE’ protest. I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised. The antics confirmed two things that our Democratic colleagues have told us before: their minds are already made up about the Kavanaugh nomination, and they will try anything to stop it.
“Democrats interrupted Chairman Grassley scores of times. They treated the nominee rudely, even insulting the patriotism of this devoted public servant and highly esteemed judge. And they offered one stale process complaint after another -- completely ignoring the fact that more documentation has been produced for Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination than for the last five Supreme Court nominations combined.
“I guess our Democratic friends’ coordinated plan was to throw a big pot of spaghetti at the wall and see if anything stuck. Well -- nothing stuck. Nothing stuck except the complete contrast between a gracious, thoughtful, patient nominee. And the hyperventilating by Senate Democrats who are obviously not interested in giving Judge Kavanaugh the fair consideration he deserves.
“Half a million pages of documents. Twelve years of opinions. The testimony of peers and colleagues from across the political spectrum. Any member who is actually willing to give Judge Kavanaugh fair consideration has every tool they need to do so. So I’d implore my friends across the aisle: Let’s put the partisan theatrics behind us, and continue these hearings with the dignity befitting the serious task before us.”
Related Issues: Supreme Court, Senate Democrats, Nominations, Judicial Nominations
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