Live blog of confirmation hearing | March 22, 2017
3rd & 7 37yd
3rd & 7 37yd
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Hirono-- you have said that you cant give your view on specific precedents, but you have praised some precedents
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Hirono-- does Shelby County raise the concerns you have mentioned about courts stepping outside judicial role?
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Hirono--doesn't the outcome of Shelby suggest that you have it right when you point to the limit of judges?
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Gorsuch-- there are still mechanisms available for those concerned about voting rights, names Constitution and Section 2, calls on Congress to legislate if they want to
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Hirono--- I'm left to judge your nomination largely on the basis of what you refuse to say. Yields rest of her time
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Enters more letters into the record attesting to Gorsuch's qualifications
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Tillis-- Roberts Court has done lots that Republicans don't agree with, EPA cases, ACA case, Obergefell, etc.
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Tillis-- I'm not sure that branding of Roberts Court has a lot of weight, not to mention the multitude of judgments they make that we don't hear about
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Tillis-- Gorsuch is in the majority 99% of the time, so concerns over Gorsuch must also apply to other judges on the 10th circuit
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Tillis discussing that Democratic hearings, says some things Ginsburg and Sotomayor believed were out of the mainstream, but they still got through the Senate without a supermajority
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Tillis-- I think we ought to go back, listen to what Gorsuch said, recognize that he is very qualified
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Tillis apologies to Gorsuch for some of the inappropriate questions, thanks Gorsuch, yields the rest of his time
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Kennedy-- I cant let go unaddressed some of the comments by Franken on VRA, notes that I'm from the south
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Kennedy-- this country has gone from slavery to an African American president in 150 years, I am proud of the country for making that kind of progress
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Kennedy-- I am skeptical of government, part of my right to privacy is to be left alone by government sometimes. I think there should be limits and I think Congress sets those limits. Do you agree that the Constitution is a document of enumerated powers and a branch doesn't have a power unless the Constitution gives them that power?
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Do you agree with me that the wealth, status, and power of parties should have nothing to do with the result of the litigation?
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Gorsuch-- yes, administer justice without respect to persons
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Do we know who all is sitting in the front row behind Judge Gorsuch? I'd imagine his wife and children would be there. Who else?
P.S.: Btw, thank you SO MUCH for this marathon blog session. -
Grassley-- we will reconvene tomorrow morning to hear from outside witnesses
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any idea of who is on the docket tomorrow (witnesses)? and thanks for the coverage!
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The list of witnesses who will testify tomorrow can be found here: www.judiciary.senate.gov
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Grassley discusses frustration at some of the questions
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Grassley-- I am very impressed with how you handled testimony. The American people have witnessed an impressive command of the law
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Grassley-- I think that the American people witnessed a person who has a great deal of humility
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Grassley-- I thank you very much for your public service
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Alright, that's it on Judge Gorsuch's testimony. Tomorrow we will hear from outside witnesses. I am signing off. Thanks so much for being with us!