Here is the reaction of Senate Judiciary Committee members to President Bush's nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court.
Arlen Specter, Chairman, Republican from Pennsylvania
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Democrat from Delaware:
In the aftermath of both the Roberts and Miers nominations, I hope it is now clear that all nominees – left, right and center – have an obligation to the American people to make clear their thinking and methodology on the key constitutional questions facing the nation.
The stakes couldn't be higher. My priority is to ensure the highest court will protect the right to privacy of every American, and that the rights of the less powerful in our society not be trampled.
Sam Brownback, Republican from Kansas:
“I commend the president and congratulate Judge Alito on this nomination, and I look forward to the upcoming confirmation hearing, during which members of the Judiciary Committee will have a robust and, I hope, civil dialogue with the nominee about the meaning of the Constitution and the role of the courts in American life.”
Tom Coburn, Republican from Oklahoma
John Cornyn, Republican from Texas:
Praised the choice, calling Alito "man of outstanding character, who is deeply committed to public service."
Mike DeWine, Republican from Ohio
Richard J. Durbin, Democrat from Illinois:
The Harriet Miers nomination was a learning experience for America.
The most extreme elements of the Republican party forced the President to withdraw the Miers nomination. We now have to ask the basic questions of Judge Alito to determine whether he is in the mainstream or whether this nomination is simply an effort to appease the far right wing.
I have reviewed a number of the cases on which Judge Alito has ruled, including those involving civil rights, women’s rights and the power of Congress to deal with issues facing this nation. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I will have a series of questions that need to be answered before I am satisfied that this nominee meets the test for this lifetime appointment.
Russell D. Feingold, Democrat from Wisconsin:
The country deserves a thorough examination of Judge Alito's record and views, and I look forward to participating in that process. Because Supreme Court justices can have a uniquely significant impact on our country for years, even decades, I will have to be satisfied that this nominee has the highest level of ability, integrity, objectivity, temperament, and fairness before I will vote to confirm him.
Dianne Feinstein, Democrat from California:
I would hope that people on both sides would hold their fire, allow the Judiciary Committee to do its work, and not take a position until that work is completed.
Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat from Vermont:
This is a needlessly provocative nomination. Regrettably, when he could have united the country through his choice, the President chose to reward one faction of his party and risk dividing the country. He should instead have rewarded the American people. America would have been better served through consultation to select one of the many consensus conservative Republican candidates who could have been overwhelmingly approved by the Senate.
[. . .]
I have not formed a final judgment as to the merits of this nomination, although an initial review of Judge Alito’s record suggests areas of significant concern. Judge Alito’s opinions from the federal bench demonstrate that he would go to great lengths to restrict the authority of Congress to enact protective legislation to protect in the areas of civil rights, consumer protection, and the rights of workers, consumers and women. Judge Alito has also set unreasonably high standards for ordinary Americans who are victims of discrimination to meet before being allowed to proceed with their cases.
[. . .]
I do not expect Democrats to engage in the kinds of personal attacks on this nominee that the right wing used to force the President to withdraw the nomination of Ms. Miers, who he described as the best qualified person in the country to replace Justice O’Connor. I do think we need to take the time necessary to examine the record of the nominee in the Reagan Justice Department and on the bench before proceeding with full and thorough hearings.
Lindsey Graham, Republican from South Carolina
Charles E. Grassley, Republican from Iowa:
Judge Alito is an accomplished judge with extensive experience and credentials as a former prosecutor and government official. In fact, he was unanimously confirmed by a Democratic controlled Senate 15 years ago to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. I look forward to the next step in the confirmation process and learning more about Judge Alito's views and qualifications. I expect the Judiciary Committee to conduct a fair and dignified hearing in a timely manner, followed up by an up an down vote by the Senate.
Orrin G. Hatch, Republican from Utah:
President Bush has hit a home run by selecting Sam Alito,” Hatch said. “Anyone would be hard-pressed to name another nominee with such a sterling and distinguished record. Judge Alito believes the law — not the judge — should determine the results in a case. Judges are not politicians, and my Senate colleagues would do well to remember this standard as they consider this outstanding pick.
Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat from Massachusetts:
Rather than selecting a nominee for the good of the nation and the court, President Bush has picked a nominee whom he hopes will stop the massive hemorrhaging of support on his right wing. This is a nomination based on weakness, not strength.
Herbert Kohl, Democrat from Wisconsin:
The nomination of Judge Alito to replace Justice O'Connor will be crucial to determining the balance of the Supreme Court for decades to come. This balance currently keeps the Court in the mainstream of American thought and is what upholds many rights that Americans take for granted. Accordingly I will give Judge Alito's record and judicial philosophy the most careful scrutiny in the weeks ahead.
I will not prejudge this nomination. I look forward to meeting with Judge Alito privately and to the public hearings where he will present his views on the law and the important constitutional issues facing our country.
Jon Kyl, Republican from Arizona
Jeff Sessions, Republican from Alabama:
Based on my own knowledge, I believe Judge Alito has every quality necessary to be a great Supreme Court justice. In particular, he brings extraordinary experience, impeccable integrity and a full understanding of the role of a judge in our American system of government.
Judge Alito served former President Reagan as an assistant to the Solicitor General where he represented the United States in its cases before the Supreme Court. Indeed, he personally argued 12 cases before the United States Supreme Court. Only a handful of American lawyers have argued that many.
I recall when former President Bush moved Judge Alito from a top position in the Department of Justice to be the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, one of the largest U.S. Attorney’s offices in the nation, Judge Alito established a superb record. I personally remember Judge Alito from that time because we were U.S. Attorney colleagues. He had an enormous reputation as a legal scholar but I remember most his sterling personal qualities that made him one of our most popular colleagues. While I have not followed his career extensively since his circuit court of appeals appointment, his reputation and what I do know indicates that he has every quality necessary to be a superb Supreme Court justice. As the confirmation process moves forward, I welcome the opportunity to examine further the qualifications and philosophy of Judge Alito.
Charles E. Schumer, Democrat from New York:
It is sad that the president felt he had to pick a nominee likely to divide America instead of choosing a nominee in the mold of Sandra Day O'Connor, who would unify us. This controversial nominee, who would make the court less diverse and far more conservative, will get very careful scrutiny from the Senate and from the American people.
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