The media is positively in a frenzy over President Trump’s nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. If you listen, you’ll hear all sorts of dubious claims and opinions about his qualifications and suitability for the position. Let me tell you, the facts are clear.
With regard to his academic qualifications, Judge Gorsuch has earned degrees with honors from Columbia University, Harvard Law School, and Oxford University – some of the most prestigious universities in the world. When it comes to experience, Judge Gorsuch was a law clerk for Judges Byron White, Anthony Kennedy, and David Sentelle. He was also the Principal Deputy Associate Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice and has now served for over a decade on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He has received many awards and accolades from his peers in the legal profession. His experience speaks for itself.
Let there be no doubt, here is a man that has exceptional academic and professional qualifications for a position on the U.S. Supreme Court.
So, what of his positions on key issues?
Rather than being partisan, Judge Gorsuch is someone who works tirelessly to uphold the original intent of that which Founding Fathers wrote into our Constitution. He understands the power under our Constitution ultimately rests with the American people.
As a result, he has rendered opinions consistent with those pro-family and pro-life values we hold dear as North Dakotans: protection of religious liberties, support of the Second Amendment, defense of freedom of speech, and preservation of Constitutional checks and balances. He is widely recognized for his thoughtful and straightforward decisions on thousands of cases.
It may surprise you that despite his views, some of the most liberal members of the U.S. Senate, Sens. Schumer, Leahy and Feinstein, all supported his confirmation to serve on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In spite of all his academic qualifications and professional accomplishments, Democrats are already fighting his appointment. We can’t let this exceptional legal mind be denied an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court because of partisan politics.
We need your help to let the Senate know that we support Judge Gorsuch being appointed to the Supreme Court. Please call North Dakota Sens. Hoeven and Heitkamp and let them know you want them to confirm his nomination. Visit our Action Center to get their phone numbers and make your voice heard.
Remember, we are doing this not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come. If we really believe that our values matter, we need to make sure that the highest court in the land reflects those values.
Mark Jorritsma
Executive Director
P.S. In case you missed it, Focus on the Family’s Citizen magazine detailed not only how the elections changed the face of national politics but also of politics right here in North Dakota.