CHARLESTON – Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and state lawmakers have expressed support for the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In a press conference held F,eb. 22 Morrisey said in a day and age where West Virginia has to deal with one regulation after another, he, Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Trump and House Judiciary Chairman John Shott think it is important to have a judge in place who cares about the text of the law and cares about the Constitution.
“I believe that Neil Gorsuch is such a person and that is why I’m very pleased to support him for the Supreme Court and to urge all senators across the country to vote for this very qualified person,” Morrisey said.
Trump said it is his hope that it will be a swift action upon the U.S. Senate and that Gorsuch’s confirmation will occur soon.
“It will be good for the country because we need the Supreme Court to be at full strength because it has enormous responsibilities for the Republic,” Trump said.
Trump said he believes Gorsuch will do the job just has his successor.
Shott said Gorsuch has a remarkable array of experiences.
“He is an ideal candidate and one who fulfills President Trump’s promise to the people of West Virginia,” Shott said. “We certainly look forward to a prompt confirmation.”
Morrisey said while no one can predict how a particular justice will rule in a case, he would like to see someone in place who cares about the text of the law and the rule of law, which is why he is supportive of Gorsush.
The three officials believe Gorsuch respects the role of state governments, defends constitutional rights and possesses a track record that will ultimately benefit the people of West Virginia.
“I think he reflects values that West Virginians care about,” Morrisey said. “We think he is a wonderful candidate and we are speaking positively about him and not negatively about anyone else.”
Shott said Gorsuch more accurately reflects the reviews of the majority of the people in this country.
“The U.S. Supreme Court is the last stop – they have the final say,” Trump said. “It is really important that the people who serve in that capacity, for every West Virginian and every American, are people of top caliber.”
The Senate Judiciary Panel will begin confirmation hearings for Gorsuch on March 20. If confirmed, he would succeed the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away last February.