West Virginia Attorney General leads a 20-state coalition asking the U.S. Senate to confirm Gorsuch, who currently is a member of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.
Morrisey’s coalition sent a letter Feb. 1 to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Patrick Leahy. The letter urges the Senate, including West Virginia Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, to confirm Gorsuch without delay.
“Judge Gorsuch is an outstanding jurist with a proven commitment to upholding the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law,” Morrisey wrote on behalf of coalition. “We have no doubt that he possesses the qualifications, temperament and judicial philosophy to be an excellent Associate Justice.”
West Virginia signed the letter with Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
“Judge Gorsuch will be an excellent addition to the U.S. Supreme Court,” Morrisey said of Gorsuch’s nomination. “He has consistently defended the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, religion and the right to bear arms. He also respects the role of state governments and will adhere to the Constitution’s original meaning, carrying on the legacy of his predecessor, the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
“The Senate’s unanimous voice vote previously confirmed Judge Gorsuch to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and I urge the Senate to set aside politics and promptly confirm this immensely qualified jurist once again.
The state Republican Party also praised the nomination.
“President Trump fulfilled yes another of his campaign promises,” Chairman Conrad Lucas said. “By nominating Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, President Trump has named a true conservative who will faithfully uphold the Constitution, protect our individual rights and preserve the idea of limited government. The confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court is vital to our republic and we look forward to an efficient and timely process.”
Lucas said the nation deserves a conservative Supreme Court nominee.
“I strongly urge Senator Manchin to respect the will of the American people and treat Judge Neil Gorsuch the same way the Senate treated Supreme Court nominees of past newly elected Presidents,” he said. “The American people have spoken, and it is time to for the Supreme Court to once again have nine justices."
Capito hailed Gorsuch’s record.
“Judge Neil Gorsuch is a well-respected, seasoned judge with unparalleled qualifications and experience,” she said. “In 2006, Judge Gorsuch was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit by the Senate without a single dissenting vote. He has a strong record of putting the rule of law first and carefully considering the text and history of the Constitution.
“West Virginians and the American people had an opportunity to weigh in, now the Senate should fairly and thoroughly consider Judge Gorsuch and act on his nomination.”
U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) called Gorsuch a sound and conservative choice.
“In his more than a decade as a federal judge, he has demonstrated a respect for the letter of the law, the intent of our Founding Fathers, and the ideals of our Constitution,” Jenkins said. “I hope the Senate will act quickly to confirm him and fill this vacancy in our nation’s highest court.”
