Press Releases

House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) today released the following statements in response to President Donald Trump’s nomination of  Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy:

Ranking Member Conyers said, “After the Senate Republican Majority committed a dereliction of duty for almost a full calendar year by not granting Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination a hearing or a vote on the Senate floor, the nomination of Neil Gorsuch confirms our worst suspicion – the Republican Majority prefers to abdicate their responsibilities enumerated in the Constitution for partisan gain.”

Conyers continued, “Instead of nominating an even-tempered pick for the Supreme Court like Judge Merrick Garland, President Trump has nominated a right-wing ideologue, butchering yet another opportunity to unite our fractured country. I stand with my colleagues in the House and the Senate who have concerns about Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination and urge Senate Republicans and Democrats to seize this moment to demand that the President nominate someone who can bring our country together.”

Chair Richmond said, “After nearly a year of Senate Republican delay tactics, President Trump has nominated a judge who has been openly hostile to women’s rights and lenient on police brutality to the Supreme Court. Despite the president’s trivial games, this selection has serious consequences for every American. Judge Gorsuch has displayed an inability to be an impartial check to either branch or protect the rights of women and minorities. As a result, I call on my Senate colleagues to oppose Judge Gorsuch’s confirmation and demand a nominee with a record of protecting the rights of all Americans.”