Hirono-- you have said that you cant give your view on specific precedents, but you have praised some precedents
Hirono back to Shelby County
Hirono-- does Shelby County raise the concerns you have mentioned about courts stepping outside judicial role?
Hirono--doesn't the outcome of Shelby suggest that you have it right when you point to the limit of judges?
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
Hirono--- I'm left to judge your nomination largely on the basis of what you refuse to say. Yields rest of her time
Enters more letters into the record attesting to Gorsuch's qualifications
Tillis-- Roberts Court has done lots that Republicans don't agree with, EPA cases, ACA case, Obergefell, etc.
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
Tillis-- Gorsuch is in the majority 99% of the time, so concerns over Gorsuch must also apply to other judges on the 10th circuit
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
Tillis-- are we just creating a new set of norms?
Tillis-- I think we ought to go back, listen to what Gorsuch said, recognize that he is very qualified
Tillis apologies to Gorsuch for some of the inappropriate questions, thanks Gorsuch, yields the rest of his time
Kennedy thanks Gorsuch and his family and clerks
Thanks Sen Ayotte for counseling Gorsuch
Kennedy-- I cant let go unaddressed some of the comments by Franken on VRA, notes that I'm from the south
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
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?
Do you agree with me that the wealth, status, and power of parties should have nothing to do with the result of the litigation?
Gorsuch-- yes, administer justice without respect to persons
Grassley-- we will reconvene tomorrow morning to hear from outside witnesses
Grassley discusses frustration at some of the questions
Grassley-- I am very impressed with how you handled testimony. The American people have witnessed an impressive command of the law
Grassley-- I think that the American people witnessed a person who has a great deal of humility
Grassley-- I thank you very much for your public service
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!
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