WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., met with President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Neil Gorsuch, on Tuesday.
“It was a pleasure to meet with Judge Gorsuch in my office today,” said Toomey. “We enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion. It is clear to me that Judge Gorsuch is eminently qualified and understands the proper role of a judge. I believe he will apply the law and U.S. Constitution as written, and not pick winners and losers based on personal or partisan policy preferences.
“Justice Scalia has left big shoes to fill,” added Toomey. “But I am optimistic that Judge Gorsuch is up to the task. Our discussion indicates to me he will neutrally apply the law, even when doing so leads to a policy outcome he personally opposes.”
Toomey said Gorsuch’s record indicates that he has the character, intellect, and experience to make an excellent addition to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I will look forward to Judge Gorsuch’s confirmation hearing and his responses to my colleagues,” said Toomey. “II have long held that when considering judicial nominees, objective qualifications are more important than partisan politics, and senators should work across the aisle to fill the federal bench with highly qualified jurists.
“Senator Casey and I have worked on a bipartisan basis to fill 16 vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania. And, although I knew I would disagree with many of her decisions, I supported President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Toomey said he plans to apply the same standard of fairness to the nomination of Gorsuch.
“And I hope my fellow senators will do the same,” Toomey said. “I hope they will review Judge Gorsuch’s record with an open mind. And I hope they will remember that the test is not whether we agree with every decision Judge Gorsuch has rendered, but whether Judge Gorsuch understands the proper role of a judge and has the character, intellect, and experience to merit confirmation.”
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., will meet with Gorsuch on Thursday.
