Monday marked the beginning of the process to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
The first hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee started at 11 a.m. and C-SPAN has set aside airtime until 5 p.m.
Gorsuch’s supporters passed around a letter from Denver Broncos former star quarterback John Elway, who is now the team’sexecutive vice president of football operations and general manager.
.@johnelway backs Gorsuch. pic.twitter.com/VdzFLu3oGV
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) March 20, 2017
Well, that should seal the deal: #Gorsuch team circulating a letter of support for him from @Broncos QB @johnelway
— Ed O’Keefe (@edatpost) March 20, 2017
Monday’s hearing is mainly opening remarks from President Trump’s pick, Gorsuch, and the 20 senators on the committee.
Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, quoted White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, who reportedly saidGorsuch “represents the type of judge that has the vision of Donald Trump.” “I want to hear from you why Mr. Priebus would say that,” Durbin said,NBC reported. “Most Americans question whether we need a Supreme Court justice with the vision of Donald Trump.” Some social media users question whether a president whose campaign is under FBI investigation for possible collusion with Russia should be allowed to fill a SupremeCourt seat, affecting the outcome of SCOTUS decisions for years to come.
No way Trump should get to appoint a SCOTUS while he is under FBI investigation for throwing our election! #Gorsuch
— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) March 20, 2017
Sorry, but no. A president under FBI investigation does NOT have the right to have a #SCOTUS nominee confirmed. #ComeyHearing #Gorsuch pic.twitter.com/Rynv7I532Q
— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) March 20, 2017
Gorsuch will begin his testimony on Tuesday, fielding direct questions. Outside witnesses are expected on day three.
Check back each day to continue watching the democratic process at work via the live stream.
Democrats are unhappy that the seat has been empty since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia more than a year ago. Then-President Obama’s nominee was blocked and the Senate refused to hold a hearing. The possibility of a Democratic filibuster is possible. It took 25 hours over the course of a few days to confirm Clarence Thomas in 1991,Heavy reported. The longest hearing lasted 30 hours in 1987. The nominee, Robert Bork, was not confirmed. That was the last time a nominee was rejected by a full Senate vote, Heavy reported.
