WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Trump announced he will nominate Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land.  It is a crucial check on the power of both the executive and legislative branches.

“Senate Republicans did a great disservice to the nation, and this nominee, when they took the unprecedented and extreme step of blocking President Obama’s moderate Supreme Court nominee for nearly a year.  As a result, many Americans question this nomination. 

“Judge Gorsuch’s record in the lower court suggests he could impose significant new constraints on civil liberties, women’s rights and workers’ rights, and roll back consumer protections and clean air laws.  I am concerned that Judge Gorsuch has a tendency to favor the interests of big corporations and special interests over every day Americans.

“The American people deserve an opportunity to learn more about this nominee and whether he is committed to upholding their rights.

“As I stated when Merrick Garland was nominated by President Obama: There is plenty of room for tough questions and respectful debate in this process.

“All of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominees cleared a sixty vote threshold and President Trump’s nominee should adhere to the same standard.”